NRL finals live updates: Sharks shake-up starting lineup for knockout final
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Today’s fixtures and results
4.05pm | NRLW - Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights - MATCH CENTRE
7.50pm | NRL - Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks - MATCH CENTRE
The Roosters are over!
We’re not even two minutes into this match and the Chooks are in!
Lindsay Collins is the man after the Roosters had a major overlap on the right side with Daly Cherry-Evans delivering the assist.
Nicho Hynes is now coming off too. Hynes was the man that missed a tackle on Foketi which led to a line break.
He’s going off for an HIA.
“That might be lights out, that might be category one,” Phil Gould said on Nine.
Nicho Hynes leaves the field. Nine
We’re underway
The preliminary final between the Roosters and Sharks has begun!
The Roosters kicked off first.
Freddy’s blunt take on what’s at stake
Brad Fittler has delivered a reality check to both these teams.
“I’ve got say tonight, if you lose, it’s a fail. It’s an absolute fail,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
“Some teams can get this far, and it can be a success, not these two teams ... there’s a lot at stake here tonight.”
Story behind the Roosters drummer
Meet Luke Abouv. He's the Chookpen drummer and has been to every match this year. It must be nice to have money.
His old man was the original Chookpen drummer, but when he could no longer do it, Luke took over.
For the drum nerds out there, it's a custom Roosters shell with a pair of fresh Remo heads.
Chookpen drummer Luke Abouv. Damien McCartney
Chooks fans getting cheeky
Well this is a first, these three lads asked me to try and get Adam Gee's attention for them.
I thought it was because they were one of the few who wanted to be referees when they grew up.
Turns out, Hugh here in the Chooks jersey had his old man’s credit card.
"I don't want a referee, just a referee biased to the Roosters," he said.
He's at the footy with his mates Lachy and River.
Lachy Hills, Hugh Reid and River Kirkegard. Damien McCartney
The Ronaldo vs Marky Mark enters a new chapter
Ronaldo Mulitalo and Mark Nawaqanitawase clashed in the last match between these both sides and they’ll no doubt be competing hard against each other again.
“He’s strong, a generational talent but hopefully we get the better of him today as a group,” Mulitalo told Nine.
“I’m looking forward to the contest.”
Fans takes their seats
We’re around 15 minutes away from kick off and the fans are ready to go!
Lachy Hills, Hugh Reid and River Kirkegard. Damien McCartney
Chookpen drummer Luke Abouv. Damien McCartney
Gal shows off the Trindall brace
Braydon Trindall has had major shoulder injuries heading into this match.
Tonight he’ll wear a brace to help him and Paul Gallen decided to be the male model of it on Nine’s coverage.
Gallen pointed to the strap on the bicep and how it will limit the amount of movement you get.
“It allows a little more range, the lower down the bicep it goes, the less range you get,” he explained.
“We saw last week when he was playing he was limited with his passing ability. They do tell me he’s in a much better position today.”
We’ve had the toss
Sharks captain Cameron McInnes won the toss and will run right side.
The skipper said Nicho Hynes is “up and about, ready to go” after his starring role last week.
As for James Tedesco, he said there was a “lot of positives” to take out of the Penrith match but they were in no way celebrating the performance.
Teams named
The Sharks have gone for a shake-up with Riley Jones benched and Mawene Hiroti starting at centre.
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 22. Toby Rodwell
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 22. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 3. Riley Jones 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 20. Niwhai Puru