Team News: Wests Tigers vs. Roosters

The Sydney Roosters have named a near-full strength side for Friday night’s blockbuster clash against Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Friday, July 24.

Having kept the high-flying New Zealand Warriors to nil last weekend, Roosters Coach Trent Robinson has named a similar side for Friday’s match, welcoming back NSW Origin forward Boyd Cordner into the mix after the back-rower was rested last week.

The only missing part in the Roosters’ side is New Zealand international Shaun Kenny-Dowall who was not named following off-field issues in the past week. Brendan Elliot replaces him on the wing, as he did for Sunday’s game against the Warriors.

Despite coming into the match as competition favourites, Roosters Assistant Coach Steve McNamara told roosters.com.au that he still expects a tough fight on Friday night — calling Jason Taylor’s side one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

“I thought they had a really bright start to the season,” McNamara said.

“They don’t have the biggest of squads and they lost a couple of players to Origin in there… but they’ve most of, if not all, of their Origin players back this week and I’m sure they’ll be looking to finish the season in a really strong fashion.

“They’re a young, dangerous team and they’ve showed it many times this year that if you give them opportunities to play and move the ball around, they’ll bite you.

McNamara also said that the match-up between flying fullbacks James Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looms as one of the deciding factors for Friday’s game, highlighting the 22-year-old Tedesco as the player his side are most watching out for this week.

“Tedesco, in my opinion, is one of the best attacking players in the NRL,” he said. “He creates so much off the back of nothing at times when they give him the ball.

“He’s going to be a real handful for us this week.”

Having gone down to the Brisbane Broncos last weekend at Suncorp Stadium, Taylor has named a similar side as he prepares to face the Club he was a former Coach at, with the inclusion of attacking weapon David Nofoaluma the most notable point.

Nofoaluma, who returns from a knee injury suffered in Round 15 against the Sea Eagles, replaces Nathan Milone in the centres and will partner Kevin Naiqama on the right edge, while Dene Halatau has been named at hooker with Robbie Farah still on the sidelines.

Sauaso Sue will partner Aaron Woods in the front row, as per last week’s change, with Keith Galloway on the interchange bench, while Ava Seumanufagai has not been named following a knee injury sustained against the Broncos. He is replaced in the side by Jack Buchanan, with Manaia Cherrington and Curtis Sironen also named on the bench.

Aaron Woods will captain the side once more in the absence of Robbie Farah, with the Australian international forward set to play his 99th first-grade game this weekend.

Both sides will confirm final teams at 6:35pm on Friday, July 24.

Be there to support the boys as they take on the Sydney Roosters on Friday, July 24!