Roosters v Sharks preview

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Sydney Roosters v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Saturday 7:35pm at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

From Bondi to the Shire, footy in Gosford set to go down to the wire

The Central Coast will be the centre of the rugby league world on Saturday night as the Sydney Roosters take on the Cronulla Sharks at Industree Group Stadium.

Feeling the brunt of State of Origin and injury with six top-tier players unavailable for this weekend's match, the Sydney Roosters will be depending upon the exuberance of youth to get the job done.

Missing Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Robert Toia and Lindsay Collins to representative duties, along with injured prop Naufahu Whyte from the side that went down to the Bulldogs 24-20 last Friday, coach Trent Robinson will hand Benaiah Ioelu his first grade debut alongside experienced forward Nat Butcher who makes a welcome return from injury.

The Roosters hold a strong recent record against the Sharks with eight wins from the past ten meetings, while their record in matches without representative players prior to State of Origin stands at ten wins from 16 fixtures during Robinson's tenure.

Boasting a 50 per cent record from 20 matches in Gosford overall, the Roosters have won their past five matches at Industree Group Stadum this decade.

Saturday night with mark a milestone match for Victor Radley as the two-time premiership winner makes his 150th appearance in first grade for the tricolours.

Coming into the representative season without the burden of players unavailable for selection, the Cronulla Sharks will be hoping to take advantage of their depleted opponents.

Recording a memorable 31-26 victory over the Storm last Saturday at home, coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be without try-scoring winger Sam Stonestreet with Mawene Hiroti coming into the side.

Holding an above average record of four wins from six visits to Gosford, the Sharks posted an emphatic 44-12 victory over the Roosters in the only previous meeting between the two sides at the venue back in 2017.

The Sharks have won ten out of 15 matches prior to State of Origin dating back to 2013, including four out of five fixtures during Fitzgibbon's time as coach.

Last meeting: Round 11 2024 - Sharks 38 Roosters 30

Who to watch: Returning to the scene of his first grade debut two years ago, Sandon Smith will be looking to continue an impressive year as a starting playmaker. Set to take on additional responsibility with five players unavailable on representative duty, the 22-year-old Central Coast local has scored five tries, set up a further four and averaged just under 100 running metres each week. Making the number six jersey his own after playing predominantly off the bench early on in his career, the Roosters will need a strong performance from Smith if they are to bounce back from the disappointment of last week's loss.

Making a timely return from injury with the Sharks' backline stocks taking a further blow over the weekend, Mawene Hiroti will be looking to make the most of a rare opportunity in the top grade. Scoring three tries in four appearances at left centre throughout April, the 26-year-old Maori representative has relished in his chances this season with 139 running metres on average to go with ten tackle breaks. Embodying the ‘next man up' mentality that has seen the men in black, white and blue prosper under Craig Fitzgibbon, look for Hiroti to give a good account of himself as the Sharks eye back-to-back wins over the Roosters for the first time since 2017.

Favourite: With a squad unaffected by State of Origin, the Sharks are expected to deliver a killer blow to a Roosters side already missing a chunk of players.

My tip: The Sharks have impressed in recent weeks with five wins from their past six outings. If they are serious about making an impact in September, they should be too strong for their depleted opponents. Sharks by 16.

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Makahesi Makatoa 9. Zach Dockar-Clay 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Xavier Va'a 20. Ethan Roberts 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Toby Rodwell

1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Teig Wilton 22. Chris Veaila

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Chris Butler;