Sharks v Roosters Preview
NRL.com
Toyota Stadium
Friday 7.35pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52506
BOTH of these sides might be in the top four but the wheels on both of their premiership wagons have started to wobble alarmingly in recent weeks.
Ricky Stuarts Sharks have won just three of their past three outings, peppering wins over the Knights, Dragons and Rabbitohs with worrying back-to-back losses to the Sea Eagles and Broncos, then last weeks shock capitulation away to the Warriors.
Brad Fittlers Roosters have arguably an even shakier driveshaft: Theyve lost four of their past six including a meek surrender to an under-strength Titans side, an abysmal defeat at the hands of the Raiders, plus back-to-back losses to the Eels and Storm over the past fortnight.
But, illustrating just how close the 2008 premiership is, other results have seen them pretty much tread water on the ladder and both remain chances at a crucial top-two finish.
Despite being outplayed in atrocious conditions in Auckland last week, Ricky Stuart has stuck with the same 17 for this crunch game.
Meanwhile Fittler has been forced into resting hooker James Aubusson (concussion) with Jake Friend the replacement no.9.
With skipper Craig Fitzgibbon back after a one-week injury layoff Willie Mason shifts from lock to second row, with Lopini Paea dropping back to the bench.
Importantly Nate Myles and Setaimata Sa rejoin the 17.
Toyota Stadium holds no fear for the visitors the Roosters have won six of the past seven games there.
Watch out Sharks: Willie Mason would be the first to acknowledge hes been down on impact lately.
Here he comes up against a side coached by the Australian coach, with the World Cup looming as a well as a premiership on the line.
At his best Mason can be one of the most damaging players in the game.
Theres no element of surprise involved, just theres Willie, give it to him and let him go.
All oppositions will eventually shut him down but his worth is in the fact that when hes on and motivated it can take four or more players at a time to succumb him.
That tires the defenders, and opens the gates of attack from other areas of the park.
We dont have to list his stats he can be a champion.
At the moment hes not. But he will be again this year and Ricky Stuart will be hoping it wont be this week.
Watch out Roosters: Underestimate Sharks fullback Brett Kearney at your peril: hes ranked fifth in the NRL for metres returned on kicks (943 at an average of 94 a game and 10 each time).
But hes much more than just a cart-the-ball-back runner.
Hes developing into a Shire version of Billy Slater: he bobs, he weaves, he runs with the ball in front of him in two hands to keep defences guessing.
Expect him to benefit from a nice short pass from Gallen or Bird at some stage, especially in the Roosters 20-metre zone.
Where it will be won: In the halves.
Both sides have experienced combinations in Brett Kimmorley and Brett Seymour (Sharks) and Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta (Roosters).
And by experienced we mean as a combo together Kimmorley and Seymour have been together for 19 of their 21 games this year; Pearce and Anasta 20.
The conditions didnt suit the Sharks pair last week, while the Roosters duo were bustled into an absolute shocker against Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis last week.
And therein lies the key: whoever can give their side a good platform with a good kicking game, plus good last-tackle options, while feeding breaks to fringe runners like Paul Gallen and Greg Bird and Anthony Tupou and Willie Mason will gain the much-needed ascendancy here.
The History: Played 75; Roosters 51, Sharks 23, drawn 1. The Roosters have won six of the past eight clashes between the sides including the past five straight!
Conclusion: With some dry weather it should be expansive play with plenty of points especially with the likes of Gallen (56 offloads second in the comp) and Tupou (42 offloads fourth) trying to outdo each other.
While Tupou has nothing to prove to Stuart having already signed on at Cronulla from next year hell still be keen to mark his territory early.
While youd think the home ground would give the Sharks the advantage, weve seen what lopsided records against certain teams can do just think the Eels v Wests Tigers last week. With that in mind its anyones game.
Match officials: Referee Jason Robinson; Sideline Officials Tony De Las Heras & Steve Chiddy; Video ref Steve Clark.
Televised: Channel 9 Live 7.30pm (NSW), delayed 9.30pm (Qld); Fox Sports 2 Delayed 11.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
