After extending their winning streak to 15 with a victory in Townsville last Saturday night, the NYC Sharks face a dangerous a desperate opponent this weekend.
The Sharks were clinical in disposing of the Cowboys 36-12 to remain nine points clear at the top of the Holden Cup ladder, however the challenge steps up a notch against the defending NYC premiers in the Roosters who need a win to stay in contention for a finals berth.
Nothing short of a win by the Roosters will be enough if they hope to remain in hunt for a top eight berth. Despite wins in their last three matches the Roosters are three points adrift of the top eight with two games to go.
As for the Sharks, its onwards and upwards in what has been an exceptional season for John Morris’s squad, their 15 wins in a row a record for the Holden Cup competition.
While Luke Jurd was a late inclusion at five eighth in the team to play the Cowboys, returning to the squad for the Roosters clash is NSW 18’s number seven Luke Metcalf who missed the game due to illness.
Briton Nikora was another late withdrawal, however the Junior Kiwi backrower has also been named for this week’s clash and is likely to be fit to face the Roosters on Saturday.
Otherwise the 23-man squad as named by Morris is unchanged and listed below.
The Sharks v Roosters NYC match is scheduled to kick off at 5.15pm.
NYC Team List – Round 25
Sharks v Roosters
Saturday, August 26
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off – 5.15pm
1 William KENNEDY
2 Sione KATOA
3 Isaac LUMELUME
4 Jesse RAMIEN
5 Josh TUILAGI
6 Luke METCALF
7 Kyle FLANAGAN
8 Ryan KING
9 Blayke BRAILEY
10 Daniel VASQUEZ
11 Briton NIKORA
12 Tony MATAUTIA
13 Billy MAGOULIAS ©
Interchange
14 Eddie FAALUA
15 Joshua CARR
16 Bessie AUFAGA-TOOMAGA
17 Zachary FAULKNER
18 James Roumanos
19 Jackson FERRIS
20 Teig WILTON
21 Luke JURD
22 Fine KULA
23 Clayton Uia
