The official team lists are in for the Roosters vs Sharks sudden-death semi-final, with Angus Crichton again named to return for Sydney while Egan Butcher is ruled out through concussion. Cronulla have kept their starting 13 intact after beating North Queensland, setting up several strong try-scorer angles with both sides fielding close to their strongest available backlines.
Biggest Winners – Roosters
Billy Smith
Smith has an outstanding record at Allianz Stadium, scoring seven tries in his past six games at the venue. He retains his centre spot outside a Roosters spine featuring Tedesco and Cherry-Evans.
Our Tip: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Nawaqanitawase remains on the right wing after Penrith kept him quiet last week. His finishing ability makes him one of the Roosters’ primary attacking options in a do-or-die home final.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Angus Crichton
Crichton has again been named on the interchange after being a late withdrawal from the Panthers game as he continues his return from a foot injury.
Betting Impact: His anytime try market is worth monitoring if he’s confirmed in the final 17, but I’d avoid workload overs given the uncertainty around his minutes.
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Biggest Losers – Roosters
Egan Butcher
Butcher is unavailable after suffering a concussion against Penrith. Salesi Foketi, who passed his own HIA assessment from that match, remains in the starting second row.
Our Tip: Salesi Foketi – Over Tackles
Sam Walker
Walker remains unavailable, leaving Daly Cherry-Evans and Hugo Savala as the Roosters’ halves combination for another sudden-death match.
Betting Impact: DCE remains the clear Roosters playmaker to target in the attacking markets.
Roosters’ Left Edge Defence
Cronulla’s right edge features Briton Nikora running alongside Sione Katoa, who comes into the match in exceptional try-scoring form.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Winners – Sharks
Sione Katoa
Katoa is the standout statistical angle in the entire match. He has scored seven tries in his past four games and crossed twice against the Cowboys last week to bring up his 100th and 101st NRL tries.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Briton Nikora
Nikora retains his starting position on the right edge, giving Cronulla a dangerous combination with Katoa outside him and Hynes creating opportunities inside.
Our Tip: Briton Nikora – Anytime Try Scorer
Braydon Trindall
Trindall’s recently injured shoulder came through the Cowboys elimination final without an issue and he’s been cleared to retain the No.6 jersey alongside Nicho Hynes.
Our Tip: Braydon Trindall – 1+ Try Assist
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Biggest Losers – Sharks
Hohepa Puru
Puru was a late withdrawal against North Queensland due to illness and remains unavailable this week. Jayden Berrell has been recalled as the backup hooking option.
Betting Impact: Blayke Brailey’s starting role remains unchanged and he’s still the Sharks hooker to target for tackle markets.
Riley Jones
Jones retains his centre position and now faces a Roosters backline containing Tedesco, Tupou, Smith, Toia and Nawaqanitawase.
Betting Impact: It’s a significant defensive assignment for the youngster, making the Roosters’ outside backs worth considering in the try market.
Sharks Against The Roosters
The Roosters won both regular-season meetings between these sides in 2026 and have also won three of their four previous finals clashes with Cronulla.
Betting Impact: It’s worth factoring into the team markets, although Cronulla have won four of their past six finals.
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Early Betting Verdict
The try-scorer markets stand out more than forcing a bet on the match result.
The Roosters won both regular-season meetings, but Cronulla arrive after surviving a sudden-death game against North Queensland and have retained the same starting 13. Sydney, meanwhile, came within a narrow margin of knocking off Penrith in their qualifying final.
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
It’s difficult to overlook seven tries from his past four games. Katoa also crossed twice last week and has Hynes, Trindall and Nikora creating opportunities on his side.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Smith’s Allianz Stadium record makes him the Roosters player I’d target first: seven tries in his past six games at the venue.
Our Tip: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Nawaqanitawase was shut out against Penrith but remains one of the most dangerous finishers in the Roosters side.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Briton Nikora – Anytime Try Scorer
Nikora offers a higher-priced way into Cronulla’s dangerous right edge, particularly if the Roosters focus heavily on stopping Katoa.
Our Tip: Briton Nikora – Anytime Try Scorer
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Daly Cherry-Evans – Try Assists
DCE remains Sydney’s primary organiser alongside Savala and has Tedesco, Smith, Tupou and Nawaqanitawase to work with.
Our Tip: Daly Cherry-Evans – 1+ Try Assist
Blayke Brailey – Tackles
A finals battle through the middle should keep Brailey busy defensively against Whyte, Collins, Radley and Leniu.
Our Tip: Blayke Brailey – Over Tackles
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Best Bet From The Team Lists
Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Katoa’s current strike rate is exceptional.
The Sharks winger has scored seven tries across his past four games, including two against the Cowboys last week after returning from an HIA to register his 100th and 101st NRL tries.
With Cronulla retaining Hynes, Trindall and Nikora around him, there’s no major team-list disruption to the combination supplying him.
Our Tip: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
I’d also check Katoa 2+ Tries with Sportsbet and TAB given his recent scoring run.
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Value Bet
Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Smith’s venue record provides the strongest Roosters value angle.
He’s scored seven tries in his past six appearances at Allianz Stadium and remains in the centres with Tedesco and Cherry-Evans directing the attack.
Our Tip: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
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Team List Betting Summary
Best Bet: Sione Katoa – Anytime Try Scorer
Value Bet: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Other Roosters Try Scorer: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Sharks Value Try Scorer: Briton Nikora – Anytime Try Scorer
Roosters Playmaker Prop: Daly Cherry-Evans – 1+ Try Assist
Sharks Playmaker Prop: Braydon Trindall – 1+ Try Assist
Tackle Prop: Blayke Brailey – Over Tackles
Higher-Odds Play: Sione Katoa – 2+ Tries
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