Round 25 Match Preview: East Meets West in Friday Night Contest

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Tue 15 Aug 2023, 04:04 PM

The Sydney Roosters will head west to CommBank Stadium on Friday night, taking on the Parramatta Eels in the second leg of the Jack Gibson Cup.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels

The Roosters and Eels face off the the 139th time this week. Easts currently hold the advantage with 39 wins, including seven of the last nine dating back to 2016.

In their last encounter - Round 5 of the 2023 season - the Tricolours recorded an eight-point win at Allianz Stadium, where Luke Keary crossed for a double in a City Index fan-voted Player of the Match performance.

Round 5 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Eels

The Roosters enter Friday night's match following morale-boosting wins against the Sea Eagles and Dolphins in consecutive weeks, while the Eels will be looking to bounce back from a 44-point defeat against the Broncos in Brisbane.

With both teams sitting on the same amount of competition points, a win will be pivotal this week and could be the boost needed to push either Club into the finals series as the regular season comes to a close.

How They Line Up

Trent Robinson has made one change to the line-up this week, with Angus Crichton named to make his return off the interchange bench.

James Tedesco will Skipper the team from fullback once again, with Daniel Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wings. Artie Legacy Medallist Billy Smith takes his place in the centres alongside New Zealand International Joseph Manu to complete the back-line.

Luke Keary and Drew Hutchison continue their combination in the halves, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith and Lindsay Collins named in the front row.

Keary: 'We Know We Have It In Us'

Siua Wong retains his place in the second row as does Nat Butcher, while Victor Radley completes the starting side in the no.13 jersey.

Following stand-out performances last week, Fletcher Baker and Terrell May will feature off the interchange again in Round 25, with Sandon Smith and Crichton also named on the bench.

Sam Walker has been named as the Tricolours’ 18th man after returning to rugby league for the North Sydney Bears over the weekend. Dylan Napa, Corey Allan, Fetalaiga Pauga and Nathan Brown round out the line-up on the extended bench.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Friday 18 Aug

Full Time

Eels

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn Asi

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan Brown

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Drew Hutchison

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 J'maine Hopgood

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryan Matterson

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu Greig

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Brendan Hands

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Dylan Napa

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Makahesi Makatoa

Replacement for Roosters is number 21 Fetalaiga Pauga

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:40 AM

Eels coach Brad Arthur has named Daejarn Asi to replace Mitchell Moses who sustained a suspected fractured eye socket in their Round 24 clash with the Broncos. Maika Sivo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard return from suspension, but back-rower Andrew Davey is set to miss the game under concussion protocols.

Castore Key Match Up: James Tedesco vs Clint Gutherson

Two of the game's most experienced fullbacks and Club Captains go head-to-head this week in a battle out the back when James Tedesco meets Clint Gutherson.

Tedesco's high work-rate and leadership has been vital for the Tricolours this season, especially in attack. With the Australian & Italian International scoring eight tries and assisting with nine others.

Leading by example, Tedesco has broken 97 tackles in his 18 appearances and averages a total of 180 run metres - giving the Roosters an edge whenever he participates in a play.

Gutherson has also been imperative to the Eels success in 2023, bagging a whopping 16 tries and slotting 10 goals.

The 28-year-old fullback has also assisted a further 13 tries and broken 63 tackles with his elusive attacking nature helping the blue and gold get over the line on numerous occasions.

With two competition points on the line, look no further than the two custodians to dictate the outcome of this exciting fixture.

What They Said

"We know we've got it in us, we've got to get the boys health and just go one little step at a time and hopefully things fall into place." - Luke Keary

"You just have to know what your role is in the team, I don't try and do things I know that I can't do. You just have to stick to what you're good at and know how you can play your role within the team and that's what you've got to focus on." - Drew Hutchison

"I've put the jersey on a couple of times, I've been 18th man before, but to actually play and run out in front of the crowd and my mum and dad it was special. I'm very grateful." - Dylan Napa

Final Verdict

With only three rounds left of the regular season, the Roosters are determined to secure their third-straight win and take home the Jack Gibson Cup when they face the Parramatta Eels for the second time in 2023.

We need your support in the west this week! Grab your tickets for Friday's match and show your support live from CommBank Stadium.

Be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction where you can watch the game live from Artie’s Bar if you can't make it to Parramatta. Easts are also running happy hour for two hours pre-match.

It's not too late to Call yourself a Rooster in 2023! With an exclusive Member's only event taking place on Sunday August 27, sign up today to join the celebration.