Two teams looking to return to form will take the field at Commbank Stadium this Saturday night as the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels fight it out for the Jack Gibson Cup.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels
The Roosters and Eels face off in encounter no.137, with Easts holding the advantage with 68 wins, including seven of the last ten dating back to 2014.
Round 10 Highlights: Roosters vs Eels
The Tricolours took the two competition points home in their last encounter in a frantic yet entertaining 31-24 Magic Round encounter, which saw them overcome a late scare from their opponents to seal victory.
It will also be the first match at Commbank Stadium for the Roosters in 2022, and they will be looking to extend their winning record to seven wins from nine matches at the venue this Saturday night.
Both sides are coming off disappointing losses in Round 14, with the Red, White and Blue pipped by Melbourne while Parramatta were blown off the park by last-placed Canterbury-Bankstown, so expect a reversal in form from both sides.
How They Line Up
Trent Robinson has made several changes to the team sheet this week to take on the Eels, with Billy Smith and Sam Verrills returning to the side, with the latter returning after a month-long layoff with a fractured collarbone.
Drew Hutchison shuffles back to the bench to make way for Verrills, while Paul Momirovski will line up in the reserves.
James Tedesco captains the side from fullback, with Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaalii on the wings. Smith partners Joey Manu in the centres, with Sam Walker and Luke Keary named in the halves.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Roosters is number 15 Drew Hutchison
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Roosters is number 13 Nat Butcher
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 12 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker
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Interchange for Eels is number 21 Ky RodwellInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 19 Jake ArthurReplacement for Roosters is number 20 Paul Momirovski
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Lindsay Collins and Siosiua Taukeiaho join Verrills in the front row, with Angus Crichton, Sitili Tupouniua and Nat Butcher rounding out the forward pack.
Connor Watson, Egan Butcher and Fletcher Baker join Hutchison on the bench while Lachlan Lam, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Momirovski, Terrell May and Adam Keighran complete the team sheet.
Parramatta have stuck solid with the same side that was defeated on Monday afternoon, which saw winger Maika Sivo make a long-awaited return from an ACL injury sustained in 2021.
Key Match Up: Joseph Suaalii vs Will Penisini
Two teenage sensations and former schoolmates will be looking to get one over each other in Saturday night's showdown.
While they'll be on opposite sides of the field, these two strike outside backs have begun their respective careers in strong form, nailing down starting spots for their respective clubs and have fans pining for what they could produce in the future.
Roosters Members and fans have been singing the praises of Joseph Suaalii in recent weeks, with his impressive form catching the eye of Blues Coach Brad Fittler after he was selected in his extended squad for State of Origin Game I.
The winger has formed a strong combination with namesake Joseph Manu on the right and has managed seven tries, a try assist, five linebreaks while averaging an impressive 132 metres in his nine appearances so far.
Suaalii's Superhuman Effort Stops Storm
His opponent in Will Penisini has been a mainstay in the centres for Parramatta this season, playing all thirteen of the Eels' matches and producing four tries, two try assists, and four linebreaks with an average of 115 running metres.
With both sides eager to return to their winning ways, look no further than two of the most exciting prospects to propel their side to victory.
What They Said
Collins: "We've Got Faith In Our System"
Final Verdict
It's crunch time for both the Roosters and Eels and with the finals nearing ever closer, each win is as imperative as the last - and even more so with silverware on the line.
Roosters Members and supporters will be treated to a double header out at Commbank Stadium, and can catch their future stars on show as the North Sydney Bears take on Parramatta at 5:30pm - so be sure to get your tickets here.
