Roosters Face Tigers Without Skipper Tedesco
The Sydney Roosters have confirmed that captain James Tedesco will miss Sunday’s fixture against the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium. Coach Trent Robinson addressed the media on Saturday, describing the veteran fullback’s ongoing ankle issue as “frustrating” and worse than initial medical assessments suggested. Cody Ramsey is set to deputize at fullback as the Roosters look to maintain their eight-game winning streak.
Dragons Shut Down Gutherson for Season
In a significant blow for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, the club has opted to shut down Clint Gutherson for the remainder of the 2026 season. Despite the fullback’s desire to play through his knee injury, medical staff have prioritized his long-term recovery to avoid further damage. Daniel Atkinson will take over the fullback role. Additionally, the Dragons confirmed that forward Emre Guler has been granted an immediate release to join a Super League side, with Toby Couchman stepping into the starting lineup for Saturday’s match against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Injury Updates Across the League
Round 25 brings mixed news for several other clubs. At the Cronulla Sharks, Toby Rudolf was expected to bolster the bench following his return from an MCL injury in the NSW Cup, but he has been excluded from the final match-day squad for Sunday’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are dealing with a late lineup change, with Enari Tuala ruled out and replaced on the flank by Jonathan Sua.
Competitive Stakes
The Roosters enter Sunday’s match as heavy favorites against the Wests Tigers, who are currently mired in an eight-game losing streak. Betting markets reflect the disparity in form, with the Roosters backed to cover a -24 handicap. Mark Nawaqanitawase remains a key player to watch, having tallied 15 tries in 17 appearances this season, supported by the half-back pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker.