Sea Eagles v Roosters: Wakeham to start; Billy on the boil
When it comes to grudge matches in 2026 they don't come much bigger than Daly Cherry-Evans' return to 4 Pines Park to face the club he served with distinction for 15 seasons.
Plenty of water has passed under the Spit Bridge since DCE told the Sea Eagles he wouldn't be suiting up for a 16th season but the tension was never far from the surface as the playmaker remained tight lipped on his next move throughout 2025.
Just as Cooper Cronk did in 2018 when he joined the Roosters after 323 games at the Storm and led the Tricolours to a title in his first season, Cherry-Evans will look to deliver the Provan Summons Trophy to his new team.
The Roosters have made a sluggish start though and are coming off a disappointing loss to the Panthers while the Sea Eagles are still searching for their first victory of the season.
Two proud clubs looking to find their mojo and kick start their season all playing out against the backdrop of DCE's return to his old stomping ground.
Match: Sea Eagles v Roosters
Round 4 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
14th Position
away Team
Roosters
12th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team News
Sea Eagles: Brandon Wakeham starts the game at hooker and Jake Simpkin goes to the bench in a late switch. Teenage front-rower Simione Laiafi is part of the six-man bench and in the frame for an NRL debut. The prop's potential debut comes as Siua Taukeiaho's return from a calf injury was put on hold for another week, while Nathan Brown has also been struck down with illness. Clayton Faulalo and D'Jazirhae Pua'avase were the two players to drop out 24 hours before kick-off while Joey Walsh was omitted 90 minutes before kick-off.
Roosters: No late changes for the Roosters. Daly Cherry-Evans will wear the No.6 jersey when he returns to 4 Pines Park for the first time as a Rooster, with Sam Walker starting at halfback. Billy Smith makes his return from concussion in the centres while emerging playmaker Hugo Savala is part of the six-man bench after making a successful comeback from an ankle injury in NSW Cup last week. Benaiah Ioelu and Tom Rodwell came out of the squad in Wednesday's 24-hour update and will return to NSW Cup.
Match: Sea Eagles v Roosters
Round 4 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 14 Brandon WakehamHooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe HetheringtonProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Roosters is number 13 Egan Butcher
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey WaddellInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Paul BryanInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi Foketi
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Simione LaiafiInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Hugo Savala
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorReserve for Roosters is number 15 Blake Steep
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Josh FeledyReserve for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have a 69 per cent winning record against the Roosters at 4 Pines Park.
- The Roosters have won six of their last eight games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored six tries in his last six games at 4 Pines Park.
- Roosters five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans will move to outright fourth on the all-time appearances list.
- Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored 12 tries in his last 11 games at 4 Pines Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
