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Sea Eagles v Roosters: Five big ins; Suaalii, Smith ruled out

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Both sides were left licking their wounds after losses in Round 17 left them side by side in 12th and 13th on the premiership ladder.

In the Roosters' case injury was added to insult with Angus Crichton (knee), Egan Butcher (head knock), Jake Turpin (ribs) forced off during the loss to Canberra and Nat Butcher (ankle) and Sitili Tupouniua (nerve pain) dropping out prior to kick-off.

The Sea Eagles found the going tough in enemy territory at AAMI Park without big guns Tom and Jake Trbojevic and flyer Jason Saab, eventually succumbing to the Storm 24-6, so they will appreciate a return to familiar surrounds at 4 Pines Park.

The last time the sides met at Manly's spiritual home it was the Roosters getting home 20-10 on the back of big games from James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Joey Manu, three vastly experienced players who will need to stand tall if the Tricolours are to secure a third away win for the season.

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Team News

Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles are 1-17 with no late changes. Jake Trbojevic (calf), Jason Saab (shoulder), Kelma Tuilagi (facial fracture), Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) and Brad Parker (elbow) all set to return to action. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Morgan Harper, Sean Keppie, Karl Lawton and Ben Condon make way.

Roosters: Nat Butcher has been added to the run on side an hour before kick-off with Naufahu Whyte going to the bench. Fletcher Baker drops out of the squad. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Billy Smith are both out after suffering head knocks in a collision at training on Saturday. Junior Pauga joins the squad on the wing, while Corey Allan comes in at centre. Jake Turpin (ribs) is set to start at hooker. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula
    Centre for Roosters is number 19 Corey Allan
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
    Winger for Roosters is number 18 Fetalaiga Pauga
  • Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua Schuster
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 
  • Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin
  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Victor Radley
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 21 Nat Butcher
  • Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
    Interchange for Roosters is number 12 Naufahu Whyte
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Terrell May
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Aaron Woods
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Siua Wong

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Jake Arthur
    Replacement for Roosters is number 23 Jaxson Paulo

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sea Eagles have won four from six at 4 Pines Park in 2023.
  • The Roosters have won six of their past eight games against the Sea Eagles.
  • Sea Eagles fullback Reuben Garrick has scored 74 points in five games at 4 Pines Park in 2023.
  • Roosters centre Joseph Manu will make his 150th NRL appearance.
  • Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has lost four of his past five games against Trent Robinson.
  • The Roosters are averaging just 16.4 points per game after 17 rounds compared to 21.06 points per game at the same time last year.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.