Round 5 Match Preview: Thursday Night Footy Returns to Allianz
Your Sydney Roosters will play their third-straight home game this week, welcoming the Parramatta Eels to Allianz Stadium for the first time since May 2017 in the opening leg of the 14th annual Jack Gibson Cup.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels
This Thursday, the Roosters will face the Eels for the 138th time in history, with Parramatta venturing to the Eastern Suburbs to play under the lights of Allianz Stadium for the first time in six years.
In 2022, the Roosters and Eels faced off twice, with results going both ways in two incredibly exhilarating games. In the first clash, Sydney secured a seven-point win over the Blue and Gold in Magic Round, before Parramatta claimed the Jack Gibson Cup with a 10-point victory in Round 15.
The two modern-day powerhouses have shared many close encounters throughout the years, but the Red, White and Blue currently hold a four-win advantage over the Eels, claiming 68 wins from 137 games with five games resulting in a draw.
In their last outing at Allianz, the Roosters crushed the Eels 48 points to 10 in a rainy battle that saw Daniel Tupou claim two of the Tricolours eight tries in front of 10,467 fans.
Coming off a bye and two back-to-back wins, Trent Robinson’s men are well-rested and extremely prepared to front the Eels come Thursday, while Parramatta will enter Round 5 on a high, after beating the defending premiers to secure their first win of the season last week.
How They Line Up
Trent Robinson has named a few changes to his line-up following the Roosters Round 3 win over the Rabbitohs. Drew Hutchison will start in the centres this week, while Naufahu Whyte and Corey Allan join the interchange bench rotation.
The Tricolours’ team features two milestone men, Victor Radley (100 Games) and Sam Walker (50 Games), as well as Club debutant Corey Allan should he enter the game on Thursday evening.
Eels coach Brad Arthur has been forced to reshuffle the front-row, following the suspension of enforcer Junior Paulo. Wiremu Greig will start at Prop for Parramatta, with Jack Murchie returning to the team after suffering a head-knock.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Drew HutchisonCentre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Eels is number 10 Wiremu Greig
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake TurpinInterchange for Eels is number 14 Matt Doorey
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Corey AllanInterchange for Eels is number 16 Jack Murchie
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur
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Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Ben Thomas
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key Match Up: Daniel Tupou vs Maika Sivo
Two of the games most well-known wingers go toe-to-toe on Thursday Night when Daniel Tupou matches up against Maika Sivo in an invigorating battle.
With both Tupou and Sivo representing their respective heritages at the Rugby League World Cup late last year, the two wingers bring plenty of experience, attacking flair and brilliant aerial ability to their teams’ backline.
Despite being only two years older than his counterpart, Tupou has played a total of 139 more NRL games, across an extra seven seasons. In only three appearances this year, the Tongan International has claimed two tries, edging closer to Anthony Minichiello’s Roosters all-time try-scoring record.
The 196cm Roosters winger also holds a 10cm height advantage over Sivo, which will come in handy when the backs go head-to-head while diffusing high bombs on Thursday evening.
His opposite has bagged a total of four tries this year, scoring doubles against the Sharks and Sea Eagles while also making four-line breaks and four tackle breaks. The Fijian International averages 135 run metres per game in comparison to Tupou’s 162, while establishing a 50% tackle efficiency rating this season.
With numerous intriguing matchups occurring across the field, keep your eyes peeled on these two performers who have the ability to change the game on Thursday evening.
What They Said
Robinson: 'He Bleeds Red, White and Blue'
Final Verdict
With confidence high on the back of two consecutive home ground wins, the Roosters will be raring to go and test themselves against last year’s grand finalists.
Roosters Members and fans will be treated to their first of four Thursday evening fixtures for 2023 this week and it’s a game not to be missed!
You can purchase your tickets for Thursday’s game here. If you can’t make it to Allianz Stadium, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction, where you can watch the game live from Artie’s Bar.
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