NRL 2016 season: Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles Round 4 preview, live streaming info, play-by-play updates and team lineup
The Sydney Roosters will attempt to record their first win of the 2016 National Rugby League season when they host the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium in a Round 4 clash.
The Roosters have yet to win a match this season and are coming off their worst loss under new coach Trent Robinson after a 40-0 mauling from defending champions North Queensland Cowboys last week. Sydney is keen to avenge their disappointing loss against Manly, who narrowly escaped being winless at the start of the season, thanks to a 22-12 win over the Cronulla Sharks in Round 3.
With injuries to Daley Copley (pec) and Ian Henderson (leg), Robinson attempts to turn things around in Sydney by playing Eloni Vunakece, one of the oldest players to make a first-grade debut. The Fijian international, who works full-time as a garbage collector, is expected to fill in for Henderson, while Brendan Elliot replaces Copley at the centres.
“He is a front-rower and he is a big tough Fijian and we are going to be relying on him and we trust him and we wish him all the best,” Roosters props Dylan Napa said, reports The Guardian. “I don’t think anyone would have deserved his debut more than him.”
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles will be without Martin Taupau, who has been suspended for one week after a high shot on Shark’s Jack Bird during their Round 3 clash, while Brenton Lawrence also set to miss the game due to suspension. Jamie Buhrer returns for Manly from a broken jaw suffered at the Auckland Nines.
Sydney Roosters lineup
Latrell Mitchell, Daniel Tupou, Brendan Elliot, Blake Ferguson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jayden Nikorima, Jackson Hastings, Sam Moa, Jake Friend, Dylan Napa, Mitchell Aubusson, Aidan Guerra, Sio Siua Taukeiaho Interchange: Isaac Liu, Kane Evans, Mitchell Frei, Eloni Vunakece Abraham Papalii Coach: Trent Robinson
Manly Sea Eagles lineup
Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Parcell, Nate Myles, Tom Symonds, Martin Taupau, Jake Trbojevic Interchange: Lewis Brown, Feleti Mateo, Brenton Lawrence, Siosaia Vave, Jamie Buhrer Coach: Trent Barrett
Live streaming info and play-by-play updates
Watch NRL 2016 season Round 4: Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles live via NRL Digital Pass. Play-by-play updates will be available during game time on Fox Sports AU.
