The Roosters shift their fourth home game of the season to Mackay on Saturday night for a clash against the Titans at BB Print Stadium.
After a 4-4 start to the season, the Tricolours will want to find their groove soon if they're going to challenge for the title this year with Trent Robinson's side reeling after a shock loss to the Bulldogs last week.
Plenty has been made about the Roosters' attack to start the year, particularly their final play options, with stars Sam Walker and Luke Keary trying to work out their combination on the run.
The Titans haven't beaten the Roosters in their last eight starts and before we bring up last year's heart-breaking finals exit, Justin Holbrook's side has a few concerns of their own.
The visitors will have to do it without David Fifita (knee) for the next month of the competition as they look to end a four-game losing streak.
They were gallant in defeat against competition leaders Penrith last week but need to find more in attack if they're going to trouble the Roosters.
It will be a special occasion for Isaac Liu with the former Roosters prop lining up against his former club for the first time.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Roosters v Titans
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: Nat Butcher will start in the second-row, with Sitili Tupouniua dropping back to the interchange in the only change to the Roosters team finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Daniel Tupou (suspension) and Paul Momirovski (illness) are named to return in the backline, shifting Kevin Naiqama to the reserves and Adam Keighran out of the side. Billy Smith is nearing a return from a foot complaint but will make a comeback via reserve grade after dropping out of the squad.
Titans: The Titans will take the field as named 1-17, with Jamayne Isaako remaining in the squad as 18th man when the line-up was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Patrick Herbert has been passed fit despite suffering a fractured cheekbone. Sam McIntyre replaces David Fifita (knee) in the back row. Phil Sami and Jayden Campbell dropped out when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 9 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Titans is number 2 Greg Marzhew
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'iWinger for Titans is number 5 Corey Thompson
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam WalkerFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Will Smith
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke KearyHalfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Titans is number 9 Erin Clark
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 12 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah Boyd
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Titans is number 15 Sam Lisone
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Titans is number 16 Herman Ese'ese
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siosiua TaukeiahoInterchange for Titans is number 17 Sam McIntyre
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan LamReplacement for Titans is number 18 Jamayne Isaako
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Victor Radley v Tino Fa'asuamaleaui: The clash of the lock forwards will be among the highlights of the game with neither player one to take a backward step. Radley has eased into his 2022 campaign but the Roosters' attack looks noticeably better when he plays the link man in the middle. Big Tino is having an impressive personal season stats wise is and with Fifita out for a month he is the leader of the pack.
Stat attack
The Titans (85) and Roosters (81) sit in the top five for most handling errors but it is the Roosters who have been forced to make an additional 241 tackles this season taking some juice out of their attack. The Tricolours' 2,754 tackles for the year so far is third most behind the Knights and Broncos while the Titans haven't had to do as much defensive work and sit alongside the Eels and Dragons.
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 9 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
