It's a top-of-the-table clash between two undefeated forces, but this week will be a special one for the Sydney Roosters NRLW side with family milestones a highlight for John Strange's side.
The Tricolours will have a handful of new faces taking the field against the Newcastle Knights as they look to continue their undefeated start, with Strange highlighting the quartet set to make their first appearances for the season.
“It’s been really good,” Strange said of the week.
“We’ve made some changes. The first three rounds we’ve had all seventeen players consistently playing but we knew after the game we were carrying some injuries out of that clash at Allianz.
“Samantha Economos played with us last year but fractured her cheekbone and was out for the season. It was a difficult scenario but she gets a run off the bench. She’ll be raring to go.
Strange: "Having the New Girls Train Has Been Great"
“We’ve got Chante Temara coming in. Once again she was with us last year, had an injury and fractured her hand so she gets her opportunity which is great.
“I feel like Joeli Morris is debuting for us even though she was 18th person in last season’s Grand Final and actually got on the field. This is her first official start and she’ll come off the bench and do a really good job.
“My daughter Jas is getting an opportunity as well, so for the four of them to come in this week, we can’t wait to see them out there.
“The fact that we can make those changes at the start of the week and having the new girls train has been great.”
History will be made on Sunday as the Roosters field the first set of sisters in Club history - Chante and Zahara Temara - while a special milestone for the Strange clan comes as John and Jasmin become the first father and daughter in the NRLW.
Strange touched on the special occasion for both families, citing the hard work of both players being rewarded with starts in the Red, White and Blue.
“I spoke to Chante in the sheds after the game last week and she was sitting next to Z,” he explained.
“I told her then that she’d be playing. It was hard to know her reaction but I think she got a bit emotional there and I know Z did too.
“For them to be playing for the Roosters together for the first time tomorrow will be really special.
“It’s been really good for Jas, I’m really happy for her. I coached her at the Central Coast Roosters last year and she had a really good season but towards the end, she did her ACL.
“It’s been pretty tough for her, but she’s worked really hard and once again just like Chante I’m really happy she gets an opportunity.
“She’s been training really hard and she’ll grab it with both hands as well.”
Coming up against the Newcastle Knights won't be an easy task, with the opposition claiming three straight wins to start off 2022.
We want to create a fortress there just like Robbo and the boys do. It’s our home ground and we’ve one from one and we want to continue that.
John Strange On Allianz Stadium
With a glut of high-profile signings including five Roosters Premiership winning stars, Strange warned that his team will need to keep an eye on one player in particular.
“It’s going to be interesting,” he said.
“They have a lot of players who have played for this Club - not just last season but the last couple of years - that are lining up for them.
“They’re really quality girls and quality players but I think if you look at the last couple of games for the Knights, Tamika Upton has really been one who has jumped out of the box for them.
“She’s been great for them and has been getting a lot of headlines for the Knights but for me, I know there’s a lot of quality girls in that side.
“We can’t just be focused on Tamika because we’ve got to have our eyes on everyone because there’s a lot of quality there."
Returning to Allianz Stadium after officially opening the venue last Friday night in the very-first sporting event, Strange said his side was excited about not only returning to the home of the Roosters, but turning it into a fortress.
“Last week was outstanding for them to open the stadium,” he said.
“The result was obviously good so there are some good memories there. Going back there, we really want to make sure that it’s our home as well.
“We want to create a fortress there just like Robbo (Trent Robinson) and the boys do. It’s our home ground and we’re one from one and we want to continue that.
“We want to make it as hard as possible for anyone who wants to come and play us there.”
