Two sides looking to consolidate their place in the top eight, the Roosters and Bulldogs will put it all on the line when they meet in Gosford on Saturday.
With Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton and Lindsay Collins in Origin camp, the Roosters’ depth will be pushed to its limits when they host a Bulldogs side on the rise.
Trent Robinson’s men will be over the moon to see Watson called up to make his State of Origin debut after the star utility missing the entire 2023 season while their skipper James Tedesco will bring some much-needed experience to the side that after he made way for Dylan Edwards in camp.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs once again lose skipper Stephen Crichton to Origin duties but keep their star playmaker Matt Burton who will be crucial to helping the side make it four straight on the Central Coast.
Roosters: The absence of Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson on Origin duty and a hamstring injury to Michael Jennings sees a new-look Roosters in Round 16. Dom Young returns from a hamstring injury on the wing so Fetalaiga Pauga moves into the centres while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith and Terrell May make up a new front row. Nat Butcher joins the starting side in the back row while Blake Steep, Sitili Tupouniua and Siua Wong are the new faces on the bench.
