!!!!!!!!!?!! https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/29/nrl-finals-week-1--nrlw-round-1-squad-announcements/ Roosters: Hooker Jake Friend is out after a head knock last week but winger Brett Morris, centre Joey Manu, lock Isaac Liu and bench prop Lindsay Collins will all return after a rest. Freddy Lussick has replaced Friend at hooker while Angus Crichton has dropped to the bench with Mitch Aubusson, Nat Butcher, Poasa Faamausili and Matt Ikuvalu all missing out. The Roosters have won their past six finals matches. :O!!!
Let's see, I'm still not convinced Lussick and Lam will both play and there's no way he's going to go into the game with only 1 prop on the bench. As he eluded to in his press conference his final 17 will be determined come game day, they reduce to 19 tonight although not sure that will tell us a lot. The kicker is he seems to rate Tupouniua quite highly despite having a very inconsistent season, I was sure Crichton would either start at lock or 2nd row come finals.
Given the injuries this year there may actually be some sense in playing Lam on the bench. He definitely provides more versatility in the spine and without Friend, Verrills and Radley I may be wrong he may want a more competent ball player on the bench.
Even though I literally said it would happen, I can't believe he hasn't gotten a start off the pine with Friend out. Off the bench for 20 minutes filling in at dummy half and a stint in the back row.
He's worried about the 6 again call obvs. If it's fast-paced they need to keep up with Penrith. If it's not fast-paced Roosters will win. JWH swinging arm head high to Api is a guarantee at some point.
You reckon? This game would mean so much to Canberra, they'll be so up for it I think we'll find it extremely hard to score against them and with it forecasted to absolutely piss down today it will definitely suit that kind of game.
Canberra's attack is just so shit I can see them really struggling against the good teams now. Especially with Manu defending the kicks to Croker/Wighton. And the right hand edge in defence Williams and Rapana is abhorrent.
Glad he's getting a start, deserves to be there. Madness SBW got the nod over him in that initial squad last week.
Hard to watch how sad Maubs looked realising it was all over. Looked like someone had just punched him in the face
