The battle of the beaches is set to shake Allianz Stadium to its foundations on Saturday as the Roosters and Sea Eagles renew their rivalry.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Roosters v Sea Eagles
The winners of 23 premierships between them, Easts and Manly boast proud histories that date back to 1908 in the Roosters' case and 1947 for the boys from Brookvale.
Their last finals meeting was in the COVID affected 2021 season when the Sea Eagles ran out 42-6 winners in Mackay in front of 5800 fans.
Things will be vastly different at Allianz Stadium on Saturday when the 'house full' sign goes up for the clash of two heavyweights who clashed twice in 2024 for one win each.
Back in Round 2 it was Manly getting the money at home 21-14 before the Roosters returned serve 34-30 in an 11-try thriller at Allianz in Round 21.
The return of hardman Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension is a massive boost for the Roosters and his battle with Taniela Paseka and Matt Lodge in the engine room promises to be a cracker.
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: Victor Radley gets a late call-up just three weeks after fracturing his scapula. Radley joins the starting side in jersey No.22 with Naufahu Whyte shifting to the bench and Siau Wong dropping out. Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will start in his first match since Round 25 in what could be his final game in the NRL. The veteran's return from suspension sees Nat Butcher revert to the bench and Zach Dockar-Clay move to 18th man.
Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles are 1-17 with no late changes. Winger Jason Saab has fallen short in his bid to return from an ankle injury and will need his team to win tonight if he is to play again this season. Tom Trbojevic will continue to play through the pain of an AC injury in an unchanged side to the one that edged the Bulldogs last Sunday. Clayton Faulalo is 18th man.
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Tommy Talau
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'iCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback 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 Taniela Paseka
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor WatsonHooker 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 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton
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Lock for Roosters is number 22 Victor RadleyLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Zach Dockar-ClayReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won only two of their past eight finals games.
- Sea Eagles winger Tommy Talau has scored 12 tries in his past 13 games.
- Roosters captain James Tedesco will make his 250th NRL appearance.
- The Sea Eagles have conceded 118 points in their past four games.
- Roosters centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has kicked 22 goals from 22 attempts at Allianz Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
