Last time around it was far from pretty, with the Sharks NYC squad embarrassed by the Roosters in their previous meeting in round five at Allianz Stadium.
Nothing went right for the Sharks while on the other side of the ledger the Roosters unleashed a potent attacking brand of rugby league in racking up a score best left unsaid on the pages of the Sharks website.
This time around however, the Roosters are set to tackle a Sharks under20’s side with a renewed confidence after three wins in succession and four victories in their last five starts.
Since their shellacking by the Roosters the young Sharks have displayed a new defensive resolve, with a 30-point loss to the Panthers their only let down in their last six matches played.
A memorable one-point win over the Warriors put them on the front foot, before narrow victories over the Titans and then Dragons last Sunday, have the NYC Sharks on the cusp of the top eight with the half-way match of the 2015 season this weekend when they take on the Roosters at Remondis.
Understandably coach James Shepherd has retained the team which claimed the 30-24 win over the Dragons, with Billy Magoulias and Curtis Scott, both members of the successful Sharks SG Ball side, to play their second games in the NYC after debuting in the under-20’s last weekend.
Shepherd also got some good moments from experienced five eighth Jaden Clarke, while skipper Anthony Moraitis was solid in the Sharks forward pack.
At the back Ryan Cummins continues to impress with his positional play, while strong running wingers Semisi Vea and Levy Sopi got through plenty of work in the last start win while both managed to cross the stripe for Sharks tries.
As for their opponents, the Roosters enjoy a wealth of attacking ability, with fullback Latrell Mitchell ear-marked for bigger things and Connor Watson elusive and dangerous in the five-eighth role.
In the centres Rooster Joseph Manu currently ranks third on the competition try-scoring list and will take plenty of stopping by whoever he comes up against.
The match between the 11th placed Sharks and fifth-placed Roosters kicks off at 1.45pm at Remondis Stadium.
NYC Team List – Round 13
Sharks v Roosters
Sunday, June 7
Remondis Stadium
Kick-off – 1.45pm
1 Ryan Cummins
2 Levy Sopi
3 Joshua Addo-Carr
4 Curtis Scott
5 Semisi Vea
6 Jaden Clarke
7 Brad Deitz
8 Alec Susino
9 Jayden Brailey
10 Harrison Muller
11 Anthony Moraitis
12 Ashleigh Nisbet
13 Billy Magoulias
INTERCHANGE
14 Monson Paewai
15 Tepatasi Fuiava
16 Jamayne Isaako
17 Jayden McDonogh
18 John Leger
19 Pat Hasson
