The Roosters stayed on the Rabbitohs' heels in the race for second spot with last week's defeat of the Bulldogs.
Trent Robinson also received promising news on Jake Friend last week and expects the injured hooker to be back on deck in time for the finals.
The Chooks have a testing run home against the Raiders, Warriors, Dragons, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
Last week's loss to Brisbane left the Titans all alone in last spot and they are running out of chances to avoid the wooden spoon. If they do run last it will complete a horror 'trifecta' after they finished 15th in 2017 and 14th in 2018.
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: Sydney are 1-17 with Matt Ikuvalu and Lachlan Lam the final cuts from the match-day squad. Nat Butcher continues to play with a rib complaint but returns after he was rested last week. Sam Verrills starts again at hooker after a late switch with Victor Radley last week. The Tricolours have won six of their past seven games against the Titans. Trent Robinson cut reserves Drew Hutchison and Max Bailey on Saturday.
Titans: Ash Taylor comes in for Tyrone Roberts at five-eighth after missing two months for personal reasons. Mitch Rein joins Roberts in dropping out of the match-day 17. Utilities Brenko Lee and Tyrone Peachey both retain their place on the bench. The Titans will play at the SCG for the first time in their history. Leilani Latu and Will Matthews dropped off the reserves list on Saturday.
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Titans is number 1 Michael Gordon
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Titans is number 3 Kallum Watkins
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett MorrisWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Titans is number 18 Ashley Taylor
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Cooper CronkHalfback for Titans is number 7 Ryley Jacks
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Isaac LiuProp for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan Peats
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Zane TetevanoProp for Titans is number 10 Jack Stockwell
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Mitchell Aubusson2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Sam Stone
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Titans is number 13 Jai Whitbread
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Nat ButcherInterchange for Titans is number 14 Tyrone Peachey
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Poasa FaamausiliInterchange for Titans is number 15 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Titans is number 16 Brenko Lee
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Titans is number 17 Bryce Cartwright
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Roosters hooker Sam Verrills is just five games into his NRL career but did a pretty decent impersonation of the man he's deputising for - Jake Friend - with an 80-minute performance against the Bulldogs in which he powered his way through 50 tackles. By contrast, Titans No.9 Nathan Peats is 147 games into his career and has played Origin. He's got the instincts of a natural rake and will look to gain an advantage for his team with his work at the play-the-ball.
For the Roosters to win
They should look to assert their authority from the get-go and sting the Titans in defence. If the premiers get an early lead the Titans might find it all a bit too hard to dig in. The Roosters should have far too much firepower all over the park for their opponents to handle.
For the Titans to win
It's a tough ask but it's not out of the question if they can put some dents in the defence, minimise errors and keep the Roosters turning around with a smart kicking game. Tyrone Roberts has to create scoring chances, while the likes of Kevin Proctor, Jarrod Wallace and Nathan Peats need to keep their less experienced teammates focused on the job.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Roosters were a bit clunky last week, this could be a bad day for the Titans. We’ve seen no response from them since the coach was sacked two weeks ago. Their inability to stay in the arm wrestle and not conceded easy tries hurts them. There may be injury and suspension problems for the Roosters but they still have plenty of class. Roosters by 14
Stat Attack
Don't push a pass around Roosters centre Joseph Manu. The Kiwi international is ranked equal first for intercepts this year, snaffling three errant balls to date.
And another thing ...
In two meetings between the Roosters and Titans last year the half-time score was 14-6 both times. The Titans were surprising leaders in their first clash before the Chooks racked up 28 unanswered points in the second half for a 34-14 victory, with Latrell Mitchell finishing with 18 points. The Roosters led 14-6 at half-time in the second meeting and went on to win 20-12.
