Round 23 Match Preview: Celebrating History at the SCG
With a return to the Sydney Cricket Ground and the chance to celebrate the 2013 Premiership-winning team, the Sydney Roosters will be primed to produce a perfect performance against a hungry Manly Warringah Sea Eagles side on Thursday night.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Roosters and Sea Eagles will go head-to-head for the 140th time in history this Thursday evening, battling it out for the second annual Gotcha4Life Cup.
In their last encounter, Manly claimed a two-point win (18-16) with a try to Ben Trbojevic getting them over the line in what was a see-sawing clash at 4 Pines Park.
The Sea Eagles have had the upper hand with victories over the years, taking home the two competition points 87 times from 139 matches. But recent history slightly favours the Roosters, who have won six of their last nine encounters with the Silvertails.
Round 18 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Sea Eagles
How They Line Up
Trent Robinson has listed a similar squad from last week, with one change to the back row coming in the form of Siua Wong, who will make his first start in the NRL.
Drew Hutchison returns to the team on the interchange bench, with Jake Turpin reverting to the extended bench.
The remainder of the line-up remains unchanged, with James Tedesco named to captain the team at fullback.
Roosters’ all-time try-scorer Daniel Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii retain their place on the wings, while Billy Smith and Joseph Manu will again make up the centre pairing.
Luke Keary and Sandon Smith continue to build on their combination in the halves, with Keary set to play his 199th NRL game this week.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith and Lindsay Collins line up in the front row, while the starting side is rounded off with Wong, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley in the back row.
Hutchison, Nathan Brown, Terrell May and Fletcher Baker feature on the interchange bench, with Corey Allan listed as the 18th player. Elie El-Zakhem, Turpin, Fetalaiga Pauga and Dylan Napa have been named on the extended bench.
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua Schuster
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Halfback for Roosters is number 14 Drew HutchisonHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Matthew Lodge
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 7 Sandon SmithInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan BrownInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Aaron Woods
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell MayInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Dean Matterson
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Ethan Bullemor
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 21 Fetalaiga PaugaReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jake Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has named Ben Trbojevic to return following a hamstring injury. With Christian Tuipulotu sustaining a knee injury, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega comes in on the wing for his fifth game of the season.
Key Match Up: James Tedesco vs Reuben Garrick
Two fullbacks imperative to their team's attacking prowess will meet at the SCG this week in what's lining up to be a mouth-watering showdown.
James Tedesco has stepped up to the challenge in recent weeks, scoring eight tries and assisting a further seven while breaking a whopping 80 tackles.
The dynamic Skipper averages 182 run metres a match in 2023 and is edging closer and closer to hitting 500 career points in each game he plays.
His counterpart has been equally as strong for the Sea Eagles, scoring 11 tries and setting up six.
The 26-year-old averages 150 run metres per match in 2023 and has broken 62 tackles, also notching 56 goals to give his team the upper hand in close matches.
With two competition points on the line, expect both leadership-driven fullbacks to rise to the occasion when the clock strikes 7:50pm on Thursday evening.
What They Said
Gus Worland Launches the Gotcha4Life Cup
Final Verdict
After falling agonisingly short to the Sea Eagles a little over a month ago, the Roosters will be determined to secure a victory and the Gotcha4Life Cup as they celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Premiership-winning team.
You can purchase your tickets for our Round 23 double-header here. If you can’t make it to the SCG, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction where you can watch the game live from Artie’s Bar. Easts are also running happy hour for two hours pre-match.
It's not too late to Call yourself a Rooster in 2023! With NRLW Memberships now on sale, show your support for the Women’s Game.
