Since a narrow loss to the Storm in Round 21 the Roosters have piled on 116 points in victories over the Sea Eagles, Dolphins and Bulldogs to breathe new life into their push for a finals berth.
With James Tedesco and Sam Walker running hot the Roosters have given themselves a golden opportunity to be part of the finals series for a ninth year on the trot - a scenario that seemed unlikely when they sat in 10th spot after that loss to Melbourne.
If the Roosters are to keep their roll going they will need to be on high alert against an enigmatic Eels side capable of scoring plenty of points on their day and dismantling any defence.
Gun halfback Mitch Moses holds the key to Parra's chances and if he can get his long kicking game in order and then put the ball on a dime for Zac Lomax inside the Red Zone the Eels are capable of springing an upset.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 25 -
home Team
Eels
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
8th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Jason Ryles' first-choice spine is starting to take shape, with Isaiah Iongi set to line up at fullback and Joash Papalii at five-eighth. Mitchell Moses is halfback and Ryley Smith will start at hooker. Luca Moretti has been ruled out for the season with a torn calf and Dylan Walker will start at lock in game 250 as a result. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update with Haze Dunster the 18th man.
Roosters: Daniel Tupou has been ruled out of Saturday's clash after showing concussion symptoms last week, with Junior Tupou coming into the side for his club debut. Back-rower Siua Wong is on track to return from a concussion, prompting a minor pack reshuffle. Naufahu Whyte will return to prop, Victor Radley is the lock and Spencer Leniu shifts to the interchange. Ethan King and Sandon Smith remained in the squad when it was trimmed to 19 on Friday.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 25 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah IongiFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Roosters is number 2 Junior Tupou
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Dylan BrownCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Joash PapaliiFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine HopgoodProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams2nd Row for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Charlie GuymerInterchange for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Salesi Foketi
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Jordan SamraniInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 21 Toni MataeleReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won only one from 10 against top-eight opposition this season.
- The Roosters have won six of their last seven games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Zac Lomax has scored seven tries in his last seven games.
- Eels forward Dylan Walker will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
