Roosters side named to face the
Rabb

Roosters coach Ricky Stuart has made good on his pledge to blood the next generation of Roosters stars, recalling tough second rower Nigel Plum to first grade in a bid to inspire a second-straight win, which will keep the club?s faint finals hopes alive.

Plum ? the Roosters? best player in Premier League all year ? will replace Richard Fa?aoso on the bench.

Plum, 22, will join fellow youngsters David Shillington, Heath L?Estrange, Iosia Soliola and Lopini Paea ? as Stuart looks to steel the club?s exciting young brigade for 2006.

The Roosters head into Saturday?s crunch match against traditional rivals Souths knowing a loss will officially end their season.

?A few other results have gone our way, which still gives us a little bit of a sniff,? says Adrian Morley.

?We have to win our next three, though.

?There?s only a small chance we can make it, but if we lose there is none.

?Everyone got a lift out of the Sharks game ? particularly because our defence was so strong.

?Souths are full of confidence, too, so it should be a good game.?

Tireless back rower Craig Fitzgibbon was given this morning off training, but will take his place in the back row.

Skipper Luke Ricketson, who will line up for his 299th first grade game, knows a loss could end his career sonner than he desires.

?We can?t afford to lose again this year,? Ricketson says.

?We aren?t planning on it either ? if we win our next three, who knows?

?That might be enough to put us in the finals.

?From there anything can happen.?

Roosters team:

Anthony MINICHIELLO Amos ROBERTS Ryan CROSS Iosia SOLIOLA Joel MONAGHAN Chris FLANNERY Brett FINCH David SHILLINGTON Craig WING Adrian MORLEY Anthony TUPOU Craig FITZGIBBON Luke RICKETSON

Interchange:

Michael CROCKER Heath L'ESTRANGE Lopini PAEA Nigel PLUM