The Roosters have a chance to silence their critics when they take on defending premiers, the Panthers in a blockbuster Friday night clash.
The Roosters sit eighth with five wins and four losses — but were humiliated last week, going down 20-6 to the Cowboys.
MATCH CENTRE: Panthers vs Roosters live score, stats, video
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Captain James Tedesco said after that game that the team needed to “have a good look at ourselves in the mirror” and if they wait another few weeks to get it together “it’ll be too late.”
While the Panthers have been a little clunky too, a win over the back-to-back premiers is just what the Roosters need — and it would launch them ahead of Penrith on the ladder.
Coach Trent Robinson is sticking solid with his Joey Manu-Luke Keary halves experiment with the only change being a forced one. Egan Butcher will miss the game through concussion protocols with Angus Crichton replacing him in the starting side.
Penrith will be without prop Spencer Leniu — who is joining the Roosters next season — due to an injury. But they look set to welcome back star second-rower Liam Martin from a hamstring injury that’s sideline him for the last three games.
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