In this week's sportsbet.com.au Team Announcement we catch-up with Assistant Coach Craig Fitzgibbon to discuss last night's win over the Titans, the side named for this week's clash and the need to improve ahead of Saturday's Leichhardt Oval showdown.
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Trent Robinson has opted to stick with the same seventeen for this Saturday's clash with the Wests Tigers that last night overcame the Gold Coast Titans at Allianz Stadium.
Chasing a third straight victory and looking to cement a place in the Top 4 as the 2014 Finals creep closer and closer, the Head Coach is again without the quartet of Daniel Tupou, Jake Friend, Sonny Bill Williams and Remi Casty through injury.
Casty was initally named to play in last night's Round 22 clash with the Titans, however was forced to withdraw after suffering a hamstring strain at Sunday's Captain's Run.
Casty's place in the side was taken by Fijian international Kane Evans who ran for 95m from 9 hit-ups and made 15 tackles in just 23 minutes of action.
Robinson has again gone for the experience of Heath L'Estrange at hooker in the absence of Vice-Captain Friend after a more than impressive showing from the 2014 signing in last night's victory, including 20 tackles in 40 minutes on-field.
L'Estrange is expected to once again share the dummy-half duties with utility Mitch Aubusson, who last night made a successful return to play after missing the Round 21 win over the Dragons with an ankle injury.
In other team news, Nene Macdonald again retains his spot on the left wing as cover for the injured NSW star Tupou, who remains under the watchful eye of Roosters Medical Staff as he looks to recover from a 'lat' injury suffered in Game III of this year's State of Origin series.
The last time the two sides met was back in Round 9 when Robinson's men overcame the Tigers 30-6 at Allianz Stadium, including doubles on the night from both Tupou and Michael Jennings.
This weekend's match kick's off at 7.30pm on Saturday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Roosters: Anthony Minichiello (c), Nene Macdonald, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce (vc), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (vc), Heath L'Estrange, Sam Moa, Boyd Cordner (vc), Aidan Guerra, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala
Bench: Mitchell Aubusson, Isaac Liu, Dylan Napa, Kane Evans
Unavailable: Remi Casty (Hamstring strain), Jake Friend (Hamstring strain), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Medial Ligament injury), Sonny Bill Williams (Fractured Thumb), Daniel Tupou (Torn Latissimus Dorsi muscle)
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