Roosters v Sharks: Robbo backs Origin stars; Nicho on track
Contrasting form for the two teams coming into Sunday’s match, with the Roosters looking to bounce back from a heavy loss, while the Sharks scored a confidence-boosting win over a premiership contender.
Last round, the Roosters were heavily affected by their strong Origin representative with seven players out and they were no match for the red-hot Dolphins – who were also missing five of their own stars to Queensland selection – going down in a 48-10 loss.
The Sharks however stunned top-two side the Warriors, posting a gritty 10-8 away win across the ditch.
Five-eighth Braydon Trindall proved the match-winner, striking a stunning two-point field goal to seal the deal late for his side.
With both teams set to welcome back their Origin representative stars, it should present as an even match-up between two top-eight contenders.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 16 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Roosters: James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sam Walker, Reece Robson, Rob Toia, Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley have all been named to play on Sunday pending their recovery from Origin Two. Last week's debutants Rex Bassingthwaighte and Toby Rodwell have been included on the interchange. Hugo Savala and Reece Foley have entered the concussion protocols.
Sharks: Hooker Blayke Brailey has been named in the extended squad as he chases a return from a broken arm suffered in Round 13 while chief playmaker Nicho Hynes (calf) is also among the reserves. Origin stars Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora are in the starting side and will be monitored.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Tommy TalauWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Billy Burns
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi FoketiInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Rex BassingthwaighteInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Toby RodwellInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Benaiah IoeluReserve for Sharks is number 20 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Junior TupouReserve for Sharks is number 21 Blayke Brailey
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Egan ButcherReserve for Sharks is number 22 Nicholas Hynes
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 23 Taylor Losalu
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 24 Cody Ramsey
Roosters Ins
- James Tedesco
- Lindsay Collins
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Reece Robson
- Robert Toia
- Sam Walker
- Victor Radley
Sharks Ins
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Blayke Brailey
- Briton Nikora
- Nicholas Hynes
- Samuel Stonestreet
Roosters Outs
- Hugo Savala
- Reece Foley
Sharks Ins
- Toby Rudolf
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won five of their last six games at Allianz Stadium.
- The Sharks will play the Roosters at the new Allianz Stadium for the first time.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored 12 tries in his last 10 games at Allianz Stadium.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored eight tries in nine games against the Roosters.
- Roosters halfback Sam Walker has scored 58 points in his last three games at Allianz Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
