NYC Team - Round 1

Under 20s Head Coach Adam Hartigan has named his side for this Thursday night's Holden Cup season opener against the Rabbitohs, with a healthy mix of familiar and new faces to the NYC competition named in the first seventeen of 2014.

New recruits Jackson Hastings (halfback) and Curtis Naughton (fullback) have both been named to start after impressing throughout the Pre-Season and Trial period since making the move to the Roosters at the end of 2013.

Hastings will partner long-serving playmaker Tyler Cornish in the halves, filling the void left by Tongan International Samisoni Langi who has been promoted to the NRL Squad for the new season.

Nene Macdonald (wing), Taane Milne (centre), Brendan Elliot (centre), Jack Goodsell (wing) and Willis Meehan (second row), have all been named in Hartigan's starting side after the five future Roosters spend the summer months working alongside their NRL counterparts as a part of Trent Robinson's program.

A handful of players will make their Tricolours debut in the Thursday night clash and Hartigan is as excited as anyone about the season finally getting underway.

"It's just exciting for the group to be back playing again to be honest," Hartigan said.

"We've got a solid amount of guys returning from last year's Squad and also have had a handful of them work with the NRL boys over the Off-Season, which is only going to benefit us hugely."

"Any game with Souths is a big game, then you add to that it's the first game of 2014 and it's an exciting prospect for us as Coaches and the Players as well - this is what we do it for."
 

Sydney Roosters Holden Cup Squad, Round 1 v South Sydney Rabbitohs:

Tickets are still available for our Round 1 clash with the Rabbitohs at the scene of last season's Minor Premiership and Premiership wins, ANZ Stadium.

It might not be our home game but the boys still need Your support as we look to kick off the new year with a win against our arch-rivals. [CLICK HERE] to purchase Tickets.