NRL finals LIVE updates: Roosters face Sharks in sudden-death showdown

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 22. Toby Rodwell

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 22. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 3. Riley Jones 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 20. Niwhai Puru

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed Angus Crichton will make a long-awaited return from injury after a false start last week, and also revealed halfback Sam Walker is a strong chance to play in next weekend’s preliminary final should his side progress that far.

Crichton hasn’t played since round 15 after suffering a right navicular (foot) injury, which required minor surgery. However, he has been named on the bench to take on Cronulla in Saturday night’s elimination final clash at Allianz Stadium after having been a late scratching last week.

Robinson described the NSW and Australian forward as “ready to go” and said he had no qualms about throwing him into an elimination clash after such a long lay-off.

“I don’t think the standard of the game changes when it comes to Angus,” Robinson said on Friday. “I just think it’s the time out with the injury and managing the minutes he’ll get on the field. That’s the only thing, but he’s played enough of these quality games to be ready to go back in.

“He wasn’t ready to go last week, simply put. That was the truth of it. He still had some issues last week, but he hasn’t had them this week, so he’s ready to go.”

Read the full story from Adrian Proszenko

Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall says his shoulder injury has improved during the week after clearly struggling at times on the field in last weekend’s win over the Cowboys.

“Yeah it’s feeling much better. A couple of stingers last week, I definitely felt that, but it got through the week OK and it’s feeling alright at the moment,” Trindall tells Fox Sports.

“It’s just accepting that it’s going to hurt, and putting your body on the line in these big games for your teammates.”

Trindall says halves partner Nicho Hynes took plenty of confidence from last week’s win, having thrived with Trindall back in the side.

“I think it gave him a bit more confidence to cruise around the field and do what he does best – pick his moments, run the ball, and chime in when he can, and I think he got a lot of confidence from last week.”

It’s do-or-die time in the NRL now, with just six clubs remaining and every game ending the premiership chances of one contender from here on in.

Opening the second weekend of finals footy is tonight’s clash between powerhouses the Roosters and perennial finals contenders Cronulla.

The Sharks are always thereabouts at this time of the year but haven’t really challenged for a title since their lone premiership win in 2016. They advanced to the third week of the finals before bowing out in each of the past two seasons. All eyes will be on the halves duo of Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall – the latter being their chief playmaker these days but also a target for Roosters defenders after appearing to struggle in his return from a shoulder injury last week.

The Roosters meanwhile have boasted arguably the most talented squad in the league this season, but tonight are again without halfback Sam Walker. They have also been frustratingly hit-or-miss for much of the year – they gave away the most errors and fourth-most penalties in the league – but when they’re at their best they are lethal in attack, peaking with a ridiculous 82-12 win over North Queensland in July.

Kick-off is at 7.50pm.