Talking Points | Rivalry Round 3

THE GREATEST RIVALRY 

The Roosters and Rabbitohs will write yet another chapter in the greatest rivalry in Australian sport on Friday night.

It's a match that's filled with a natural and passionate intensity that is unmeasured to another match-up in the game. 

It will be the first of two matches to decide the winner of the Ron Coote Cup, which will be awarded to the winner of the two matches after Round 20. 

"The league needs Roosters and Rabbitohs like clashes," said Assistant Coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

"The players want to be involved in these sorts of games, and what better way after the break to come back and head straight into a darby against the Rabbits."

MORRIS BEGINS TRICOLOURS CHAPTER

After playing the first two games of the NRL season with the Cronulla Sharks, Josh Morris will make his first appearance for the Tricolours tonight. 

Lining up in his preferred left centre position, Morris's arrival to the Roosters was long awaited and is now officially a reality with the competition resuming this week. 

The Roosters squad was placed into lockdown on Morris's first day at the Club, which saw a quick turnaround from Club-to-Club turn into a silver lining for the veteran centre. 

"He's brought a bank of knowledge around how he wants to play the left centre position," Head Coach Trent Robinson said speaking on Josh Morris.

He's brought an intensity about the way he plays defence and class in the way he attacks

Trent Robinson

BOYD CORDNER MAKES 2020 DEBUT

An important inclusion to the squad this week is Captain Boyd Cordner, who has yet to play a game in 2020 after missing out on the World Club Challenge and the opening two rounds of the competition. 

Chomping at the bit to make his return, it can't be understated what the Captain brings to his squad. 

Now feeling fully fit and healthy with plenty of training under his belt, the Club, State and Australian Captain is set to bring his work ethic back to Tricolours football.

Anyone that plays beside Cordner manages to witness first hand the ability he has to lead the team

Craig Fitzgibbon

LIU RETURNS TO THE STARTING LINE-UP

Isaac Liu will make his first start of the season in the front row after Siosiua Taukeiaho was ruled out with a minor hamstring complaint. 

Liu is one of the undisputed leaders of the Roosters forward pack and one of the longest serving members of the squad now in his eighth season at the Club. 

Noted for his strong defensive mindset and second-to-none work ethic, Liu will be an important inclusion against a tough and mobile forward pack on Friday night.

SHOW YOUR TRICOLOURS

The Roosters faithful are showing their Tricolours in 2020 and getting behind the Club with the competition returning this weekend.

We know you can't be in the stands to cheer on your team, but you can still get behind your Roosters and show your support. 

Share your best pics on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram of you wearing your Tricolours with the hashtags #ShowYourTricolours and #EastsToWin. 

LAST TIME WE MET 

The Last Time We Met the South Sydney Rabbitohs was in the 2019 Qualifying Finals at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

While Friday night's clash is a whole different ball game, RoostersTV looked back on the famous Qualifying Final victory over the Rabbitohs that propelled the Roosters into the Preliminary Final against the Melbourne Storm.