Roosters v Tigers
Allianz Stadium,Sydney,2pm .
Next Man Up: Rodwell, McCathie Among Roosters Rookies in Origin-Disrupted Round
With State of Origin casting its long shadow over the NRL this week, a new wave of Roosters is ready to rise.
This round marks a significant moment in the careers of Tom Rodwell and Max McCathie, as both are set to make their NRL debuts in a reshuffled Sydney Roosters side brimming with opportunity.
Rodwell, a promising finisher with serious speed, gets his shot on the wing, while Mark Nawaqanitawase shifts into the centres to fill the void left by Robert Toia, who’s away in Maroons camp.
The Roosters have been hit hard by Origin absentees, with Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, and Spencer Leniu all called up for state duties. Their absence opens the door for Makahesi Makatoa, Benaiah Ioelu, and Blake Steep to step into the starting lineup.
In a welcome boost, Egan Butcher returns from concussion and slots in for the injured Siua Wong (knee), adding some experience to a forward pack that’s had to be quickly reassembled.
On the bench, McCathie joins Zach Dockar-Clay, Taylor Losaulu, and De La Salle Va’a—who will make just his second NRL appearance after debuting in the final round of 2024.
It’s a week defined by disruption—but also one filled with opportunity. For these young Roosters, the message is clear: the stage is yours, now take it.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase , 5. Tom Rodwell 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Naufahu Whyte . 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Egan Butcher 12. Salesi Foketi . 13. Blake Steep 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Max McCathie 16. Taylor Losalu . 17. Delasalle Vaa 18. Ethan King 19. Ethan Roberts 20. Chad Townsend. 21. Ben Johnson 22. Tyler Moriarty
Out: Robert Toia (centre), Lindsay Collins (front row), Connor Watson (hooker), Angus Crichton (second row), Siua Wong (second row), Spencer Leniu (bench)
In: Tom Rodwell (wing), Makahesi Makatoa (front row), Egan Butcher (second row), Max McCathie (bench), Taylor Losalu (bench), De La Salle Va’a (bench)
Changes: Mark Nawaqanitawase (wing to centre), Salesi Foketi (lock to second row), Benaiah Ioelu (bench to hooker), Blake Steep (bench to lock)
Desperate Tigers Eye Roosters Upset to Avoid Wooden Spoon Spiral
The desperation is real in Tiger Town.
Stuck in 14th place and reeling from six consecutive losses, the Wests Tigers enter Sunday’s clash against the Roosters knowing the stakes couldn’t be higher. With just a handful of rounds remaining and their finals dream all but dead, Benji Marshall’s men are now battling to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon—a scenario no one in orange and black wants to contemplate.
There’s a sliver of hope. The Roosters arrive weakened by five Origin absentees, including key forwards and backline regulars, offering a rare opening for an ambush at Allianz Stadium. But the Tigers aren’t without their own challenges. Jarome Luai is away with New South Wales and Api Koroisau is sidelined by concussion, blunting the spine that has carried them in flashes this season.
Coach Marshall has shuffled the deck. With Heath Mason suspended, Sunia Turuva shifts to fullback and Charlie Staines reclaims a spot on the wing. In the halves, Adam Doueihi steps into five-eighth, while Luke Laulilii links with Starford To’a in the centres. At hooker, it’s Tristan Hope’s time to shine—playing just his second NRL game after debuting in Round 1. Charlie Murray also joins the bench as a fresh face.
Veteran Alex Twal leads the side in the absence of Luai and Koroisau, tasked with rallying a squad that knows full well what’s at stake—not just pride, but survival.
And with daunting fixtures against the Warriors, Panthers, Bulldogs, and Raiders looming, this Sunday might just be their best—and last—chance to ignite a late-season revival.
Tigers
1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Luke Laulilii 4. Starford To’a. 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Tristan Hope . 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal 14. Charlie Murray. 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Brent Naden. 20. Royce Hunt 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Izaac Tu’itupou
Out: Heath Mason (fullback), Apisai Koroisau (five-eighth), Tallyn Da Silva (hooker)
In: Charlie Staines (wing), Tristan Hope (hooker), Charlie Murray (bench)
Changes: Sunia Turuva (wing to fullback), Adam Doueihi (centre to five-eighth), Luke Laulilii (bench to centre)
Key Stats
The Roosters have won 18 of their past 19 games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored four tries in his past four games.
Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored nine tries in his last seven games.
Wests Tigers winger Sunia Turuva has scored four tries in four games against the Roosters.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 21 tries in 15 games against Wests Tigers.
Tedesco-Led Roosters Ready to Pounce as Tigers Miss Luai Again
Fresh, rested, and full of confidence—the Roosters return to action with momentum firmly on their side.
After dismantling the Cowboys in a ruthless performance two weeks ago, the Tricolours enjoyed a well-timed bye last round. Now, even without a handful of Origin stars, they’re eyeing another statement win—this time against a struggling Tigers outfit missing their most influential playmaker.
The Tigers, meanwhile, limp into the clash off the back of a sobering defeat to the Sea Eagles at Brookvale. Without Jarome Luai, they lacked direction and spark—and they’ll have to do without him again this week, with the Blues star away on Origin duty.
While the Roosters are also missing key names to rep duty, they still boast James Tedesco at fullback, and the veteran continues to remind everyone he’s far from done. His form leading into this clash has been electric—slicing through defensive lines and setting up tries with his trademark vision.
With both sides impacted by Origin, it’s a battle of depth, discipline, and desperation. But if recent form is anything to go by, the Roosters—powered by Tedesco’s class—look a step ahead.
Referees, Peter Gough, Touch Judges, Kieren Irons, Phil Henderson, Bunker, The Gee.
Manly v Souths
4 Pines Park, Manly, 4.05pm.
Turbo Charges On: Sea Eagles Settle at Home with Origin Stars Back
It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done.
The Sea Eagles scraped past the Wests Tigers at Brookvale last week, and while the scoreboard didn’t ignite the crowd, Tom Trbojevic’s shift to the centres did. The Manly superstar ran for 136 metres, broke seven tackles, and brought moments of class to an otherwise disjointed affair—justifying the positional shake-up.
Now, back on home turf and bolstered by the return of their spiritual leaders Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic, who are no longer tied up in Origin duties, Manly suddenly look settled. With two of their most experienced campaigners fully focused on club footy, there’s a sense of momentum quietly building at Brookvale.
Coach Anthony Seibold has resisted the urge for major changes. The only tweak sees Tommy Talau return from a hamstring injury, slotting onto the bench in place of Nathan Brown (biceps). Talau will make his seventh NRL appearance of the year and adds versatility to a squad starting to find consistency.
With Origin disruptions now in the rear-view mirror, and their big names back in full flight, the Sea Eagles may just be ready to spread their wings.
Manly
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic , 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge. 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic. 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor . 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale . 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Out: Nathan Brown (bench)
In: Tommy Talau (bench)
Broken Bunnies Look to Stop the Slide as Injuries and Origin Bite
It’s been a long time between celebrations at Redfern.
Not since May 18 has the famous Rabbitohs team song echoed through a winning dressing room—a stark reminder of just how far the Bunnies have fallen.
Once sitting inside the top eight with impressive wins over the Dolphins, Panthers, Roosters, and Broncos, South Sydney now finds itself rock bottom in 16th, their season spiralling after five straight defeats. In that stretch, they’ve leaked 171 points, their defence crumbling and confidence vanishing with each passing week.
In the latest reshuffle forced by Origin call-ups and injuries, Alex Johnston will shift to fullback in place of Latrell Mitchell, continuing his pursuit of the NRL’s all-time try-scoring record from the back. Isaiah Tass fills in on the wing, while Euan Aitken slides into the centres.
In the halves, Jack Wighton moves to five-eighth to cover the injured Cody Walker (hamstring), hoping to inject some spark into a stalling attack. On the bench, Liam Le Blanc and Lewis Dodd are new inclusions, both looking to make their mark in a team desperate for impact.
There’s also a glimmer of hope on the horizon—Brandon Smith, who suffered an ACL injury in Round 26 last year, has been named in the extended squad and could be edging closer to a long-awaited return.
The Bunnies are wounded, out of rhythm, and running out of time—but a strong performance this week could be the first step toward salvaging what’s left of a season once rich with promise.
Souths
1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham. 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili . 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jai Arrow 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner. 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Davvy Moale 17. Lewis Dodd . 18. Ryan Gray 19. Sean Keppie 20. Jacob Host 21. Cody Walker 22. Brandon Smith
Out: Latrell Mitchell (fullback). Sean Keppie (bench to reserve)
In: Isaiah Tass (wing), Liam Le Blanc (bench), Lewis Dodd (bench)
Changes: Alex Johnston (wing to fullback), Jack Wighton (centre to five-eighth), Cody Walker (five-eighth to reserve), Sean Keppie (front row to bench), Euan Aitken (second row to centre), Jai Arrow (lock to second row), Lachlan Hubner (bench to lock), Tevita Tatola (bench to front row)
Key Stats
The Sea Eagles have not defeated the Rabbitohs at 4 Pines Park since 2019.
The Rabbitohs have won eight of their past nine games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored in six consecutive games at 4 Pines Park.
Rabbitohs five-eighth Jack Wighton has scored five tries in his last five games at Brookvale.
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won only two from eight against Wayne Bennett-coached teams.
Sea Eagles Smell Blood as Battered Bunnies Limp Into Brookvale
Momentum is everything in the NRL—and right now, the Sea Eagles have just enough to matter, while the Rabbitohs appear to have none at all.
Last week at Brookvale, Manly clicked into gear after halftime, grinding out a much-needed win over the struggling Tigers. It wasn’t flawless, but it was enough to steady the ship. With their big guns back on deck and a near full-strength squad, they now eye back-to-back victories for the first time in weeks.
Across the league, the Rabbitohs are a team in freefall. Their latest outing—a 50-point humiliation at the hands of the Dolphins—was arguably their lowest point of a dismal stretch. Defensive lapses, misfiring attack, and an air of resignation have crept into a side that looked like a finals contender just two months ago.
And now, it gets worse. Their spiritual leader and most explosive weapon, Latrell Mitchell, is unavailable due to Origin duties. Without him, South Sydney has historically struggled to fire, and there’s little to suggest things will be different this time.
The Sea Eagles, for all their own inconsistencies this season, have a golden opportunity in front of them. But they’ll know better than to underestimate a wounded Rabbit—especially one with nothing left to lose.
Still, based on current form and availability, it’s hard to see anything but another tough afternoon ahead for the Bunnies. For many, it’s already time to write them off for 2025. But if the Sea Eagles take them lightly, they might just find themselves dragged into the chaos too.
Referees, Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
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