The Roosters will have taken plenty of positives away from their narrow loss to the Panthers in a pulsating qualifying final and they now confront a dangerous Sharks outfit coming off a victory over the Cowboys.
These sides met twice during the regular season and the Roosters held sway on both occasions but the Sharks have been hardened by one sudden-death showdown and they'll be ready to leave it all on the paddock again on Saturday night.
A host of mouth-watering clashes across the park but none bigger than halfbacks Daly Cherry-Evans and Nicho Hynes squaring off in a final for just the second time in their careers.
Back in 2021, DCE was steering Manly around the park and Hynes was coming off the bench for the Storm, who steamrolled the Sea Eagles 40-12 in a qualifying final before bowing out to the Panthers in a preliminary final.
Middle men Naufahu Whyte and Addin Fonua-Blake will also have a huge say in the result as the Roosters and Sharks slug it out for the right to meet the Dolphins in Brisbane in a fortnight.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: A late change on the bench with Toby Rodwell coming in 90 minutes before kick-off in place of Tommy Talau. Young playmaker Rodwell returns after suffering a head knock in Round 27 and sitting out a week. Sam Walker's comeback from an ankle injury remains on ice for another week but star back-rower Angus Crichton is back from a long-term foot injury. "He's ready to go," coach Trent Robinson said on Friday morning. The departing forward was a late withdrawal last weekend but is set to come off the bench for Saturday's sudden-death semi-final. Young talent Salesi Foketi is set to start in the back row after coming off the bench last week, with Egan Butcher unavailable due to a concussion.
Sharks: Mawene Hiroti joins the starting side in jersey No.22 in the 90-minute update with Riley Jones going to the bench. Hiroti makes his return from a rib injury. Jayden Berrell dropped off the bench on Friday and was replaced by Niwhai Puru, who was a late call-up last week to replace his brother Hohepa.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Sharks is number 22 Mawene Hiroti
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo SavalaFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus CrichtonInterchange for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai Puru
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Cody RamseyReserve for Sharks is number 3 Riley Jones
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Toby RodwellReserve for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Daniel Luttringer
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won three out of four finals clashes against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have won four of their last six finals games.
- Roosters centre Billy Smith has scored seven tries in his last six games at Allianz Stadium.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored seven tries in his last four games.
- Winger Daniel Tupou will make a record 28th finals appearance for the Roosters.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
