Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Saturday 7.30pm (AEDT)
Last meeting: Roosters 38 bt Eels 24 at Parramatta Stadium, round 13, 2013
Head-to-head: Roosters 60, Eels 60, drawn 5
Referees: Gavin Badger, Brett Suttor
TV: Live, FoxSports 1
Betfair: Roosters $1.31, Eels $3.70
Ladbrokes: Roosters $1.29, Eels $3.70
Michael Chammas writes: The Roosters received a wake-up call against South Sydney last week and even without Sonny Bill Williams will be better prepared this time around. The Eels were impressive in their win against the Warriors, but they should be no match for the Roosters. The Eels are a far better football team than they were last year but taking on the reigning champions in their own backyard will be tough.
Tip: Roosters by 16
AAP writes: Last year's premiers might be hosting the 2013 wooden-spooners, but both sides finished round one with very unexpected results. The Roosters were brought back down to Earth in the NRL season-opener 28-8 courtesy of a Greg Inglis-led Rabbitohs onslaught, while a resurgent Eels outfit stunned the Warriors with seven tries to kick-off their campaign in style. The big news for the Roosters is that Sonny Bill Williams is out for three weeks for an 80th minute shoulder charge on George Burgess and will be replaced by Mitch Aubusson, with Frenchman Remi Casty moving onto the bench. Meanwhile the Eels' Kaysa Pritchard replaces the club-suspended Nathan Peats.
Key: With Roosters strike weapon Williams out, Roosters' halves James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce will have to step up another notch to ensure they get the better of Eels counterparts Corey Norman and Luke Kelly.
ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello (capt), Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Boyd Cordner, Mitchell Aubusson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Aidan Guerra, Remi Casty, Kane Evans, Dylan Napa, Siosiua Taukeiaho (two to be omitted).
EELS: Jarryd Hayne (capt), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Willie Tonga, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah (capt), Kaysa Pritchard, Fuifui Moimoi, Ben Smith, Manu Ma’u, Kenny Edwards. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Darcy Lussick, Mitch Allgood, David Gower (two to be omitted).
