Undermanned Roosters head to Melbourne with preliminary final berth at stake
The semi-finals kick-off with a Friday night showdown between the Storm and Roosters in the Victorian capital with the winner earning a shot at Penrith in a week’s time.
Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle), Xavier Coates (ankle), and Young Tonumaipea (head knock) are the men missing for head coach Craig Bellamy.
Papua New Guinean international Justin Olam earns a recall at centre with Reimis Smith lining on the wing whilst Alec MacDonald comes onto the pine.
Joseph Manu (hamstring), Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (head knock), and Billy Smith (jaw) are all unavailable for the Roosters after the side limped home in a one-point bloodbath in last week’s elimination final.
Paul Momirovski and Corey Allan make up a new-look centre-pairing whilst Jaxson Paulo jags a wing spot alongside Junior Pauga with Daniel Tupou (knee) still out.
The Roosters have won just three of their past 10 at AAMI Park but have beaten the Storm on three of four occasions in the postseason.
Finals football returns to NZ as Warriors host surging Knights
The Warriors will host a home final for the first time since 2008 when a Knights side riding a 10-game winning streak makes the journey across the ditch for a Saturday afternoon showdown.
Shaun Johnson (calf) has been named at halfback after missing the Warriors’ qualifying final loss to the Panthers.
A final decision will be made on his availability on Friday with Dylan Walker likely to be promoted from the bench into the halves should he again be ruled out.
For Newcastle, Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) have both been ruled out with Adam Clune named at No. 7 and rookie Dylan Lucas coming into the back row.
It will be the first ever finals meeting between the sides, although the Knights have won four of the past five meetings between the sides.
The winner will travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos in a week’s time in a Grand Final qualifier.
