Backing up in this match from Wednesday night’s Origin decider (injury permitting) are Pearce, Maloney, Cordner, Jennings (Roosters) and Lewis and Fifita (Sharks).
Also missing for the Sharks through injury are regular Captain Paul Gallen and winger, Beau Ryan.
Sydney registered their third successive win when thumping a disappointing St. George in round 17, 36 – 0.
The win, and Melbourne’s recent loss to Canterbury, sees the Sydney side sit second on the competition ladder.
A lot will ride on how well their halves, Pearce and Maloney are able to back up from Origin but that said, their replacements during the Origin period, Sonny Bill Williams and Daniel Mortimer have been performing well and will be more than capable should one or both of the starting halves, be unable to take their place.
Off the back of a strong performance – and his field goal, five-eighth Todd Carney helped the Sharks escaped with a 19 – 18 win over a gallant Broncos side in their latest match.
It was the Shark’s third win in the past month and meant they kept their spot inside the eight (6th) but only one win in front of a group of four teams.
There’s no doubting the Sharks poor record without Gallen and, with two other forwards, Lewis and Fifita backing up from Origin, it may leave the Sharks a bit vulnerable up front against the big Roosters pack.
The Roosters forwards have laid a solid foundation all year for their backs to work off and would think they’ll be able to get the better of the Sharks easily enough in this match.
Roosters should produce too many points for the Sharks to counter.
TIP: ROOSTERS 13 +
Odds comparison by NRL Odds:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Sydney Roosters | 1.28 | 1.35 | 1.29 | 1.35 | 1.28 | 1.30 |
|
Cronulla Sharks
|
3.60 | 3.20 | 3.75 | 3.20 | 3.60 | 3.65 |
Teams:
Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello (capt), Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Luke O’Donnell, Boyd Cordner, Sonny Bill Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Mitchell Aubusson, Aidan Guerra, Sam Moa, Isaac Liu (one to be omitted).
Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Stewart Mills, Jonathan Wright, Nathan Stapleton, Todd Carney, Chad Townsend, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs, Jayson Bukuya, Luke Lewis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Tyrone Peachey, Sam Tagataese, Ben Ross, Ben Pomeroy, Mark Taufua.
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara.
