The Roosters Crow: Feathers Fly for Gotcha4Life Cup

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Wed 27 Jul 2022, 09:58 AM

Two traditional rivals will put their hostilities aside for a greater cause on Thursday night when the Roosters and Sea Eagles face off for the Gotcha4Life Cup.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Thursday night will mark the 138th match up between the Roosters and Sea Eagles, with the last five results alternating between the two clubs.

Easts took victory in the last meeting, notching their first victory of season 2022 with a dominant 26-12 performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground after leading 22-nil at the break.

Both clubs have teamed up for a greater cause as they compete for the Gotcha4Life Cup in a bid to bring suicide numbers to zero. For more about Gotcha4Life, click here.

However, two competition points will be pivotal for both sides this week, as 8th plays 9th on the table with the victor going one step closer to solidifying a top eight spot - so every moment will count.

How They Line Up

Trent Robinson's side has gained a timely boost with the return of both Joseph Manu and Lindsay Collins to the starting line up following their omission in last week's convincing win over Newcastle.

Manu comes into the centres while Collins will start up front alongside Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, with the returning pair no doubt adding plenty of firepower in their respective positions.

James Tedesco will Captain the side at fullback, joined in the backline by Joseph Suaalii, Paul Momirovski, Manu and Daniel Tupou - who jumps into the top ten most capped Roosters of all time with his 218th appearance, usurping Club Legend Brad Fittler in the process.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Thursday 28 Jul

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Pio Seci

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Morgan Harper

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Dylan Walker

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Alfred Smalley

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin Taupau

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Ethan Bullemor

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kurt De Luis

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 James Segeyaro

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Morgan Boyle

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Drew Hutchison
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Zac Fulton

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Matthew Lodge

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Kaeo Weekes

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Adam Keighran

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 3/4/2024 11:32:41 PM

Sam Walker and Luke Keary continue to establish their partnership in the halves, with the latter enjoying a strong return against the Knights, scoring his first try of the season, while Gotcha4Life Ambassador Sam Verrills lines up at hooker.

Nat Butcher, Angus Crichton and Victor Radley once again comprise the back row, while Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Drew Hutchison and Matt Lodge make up the interchange bench.

The extended bench features Adam Keighran, Terrell May, Naufahu Whyte, Ben Thomas and Kevin Naiqama.

Key Match Up: Luke Keary vs Kieran Foran

Experienced five-eighths come face to face when Luke Keary and Kieran Foran line up against one another this Thursday night.

Keary made a successful return to the side following a month out and hit the ground running by scoring his first try of the season in emphatic fashion. He's also produced a further thirteen four-pointers for the Tricolours this year, along with eight linebreak assists and nine forced drop outs in his fifteen matches.

Steady as ever Kieran Foran has been exactly that in his fourteenth season in the top grade, playing all eighteen matches in the maroon and white while scoring two tries, directly setting up nine, forcing four drop outs and putting teammates in for fourteen linebreak assists.

The dynamic no.6 will prove to be pivotal to the final result in this clash, so look for both men to be at their damaging best come Thursday night.

Suaalii: "I'm Trying to Learn The Game"

What They Said:

“I’m sure there will be a big crowd there on Thursday cheering Manly on, but we can’t wait to get out there and put on a real Roosters performance. We feel like we’ve been building the past few weeks.” - Sam Verrills

“For me, it’s about having zero suicides – that’s why I started Gotcha4Life and the more money we raise means the more opportunity we get to speak to people about mental fitness and making sure that men in particular but all Australians don’t worry alone.” - Gus Worland

Final Verdict:

It's yet another week where the result will have massive ramifications for the Tricolours' season, but Trent Robinson's men will be primed to put on another Roosters performance.

For those looking to attend the match, you can grab your tickets here and cheer on the Roosters as they take the field at Brookvale Oval for the first time since 2019.

As we continue our charge to hit another milestone, be sure to Call Yourself a Rooster and become a Sydney Roosters Member - and you can further your support for our NRLW side and the Women's Game with 2022 NRLW Membership!