The Sydney Roosters will host the Cronulla Sharks in a semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. 

A preliminary final against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium awaits the winner, while the loser will see their season end. 

The Roosters failed to benefit from resting a host of stars in Round 27, falling 19-12 to the Panthers in Sunday’s qualifying final to mark a fourth consecutive loss. 

Meanwhile, the Sharks kept their season alive with a 26-16 victory over the Cowboys last Saturday, snapping a run that featured four losses in five matches. 

Cronulla makes just one change, with Jayden Berrell recalled to the extended interchange in place of last week’s late inclusion Niwhai Puru. 

With Egan Butcher out due to concussion, Salesi Foketi returns to the Roosters’ starting side, while Angus Crichton joins the interchange. 

The Sharks won 20-10 when these sides met in an elimination final last season. More recently, the Roosters swept their two meetings this season, winning 34-22 and 27-8 respectively.

Can they make it three from three against the Sharks in 2026 and move to within one game from the Grand Final? Let’s find out!

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights ahead of this Elimination Final, check out our Roosters vs Sharks tips and predictions below! 

Roosters vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

Week 2 of the 2026 NRL Finals opens up with this Saturday special between the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla Sharks. 

As is always the case with the Semi-Finals one side arrived here by way of victory and the other via defeat.

The Sharks are the ones who will enter this clash on a high after snapping the recent Finals hoodoo and seeing off the Cowboys in a controlled display at Ocean Protect Stadium.

While the Roosters did taste defeat last week (their fourth in a row) they were particularly impressive pushing Penrith all the way, particularly without the services of their star man Sam Walker. 

Unless there’s a medical miracle in Bondi this week, they’ll once again run out without the Queensland halfback, but it’s for moments like this why they recruited Daly Cherry-Evans. 

Experience is priceless in finals footy, and the former Queensland and Australian captain has seen it all in his 15-year career.

As has fullback, skipper and reigning Dally M Medallist James Tedesco who will be looking to link with DCE and send the Sharks packing. 

We doubt either of them had ever seen a try like Mark Nawaqanitawase’s commando roll intercept last week. Could we see more Marky Mark try scoring heroics this week? We think so. 

In terms of the final result here, it’s the Roosters who have the upper hand in terms of the recent H2H meetings between these sides, having won two of their last three against Cronulla, including their sole showdown this year. 

Yes, the Sharks won last week, but how impressive is it beating a Cowboys side who conceded 50 to Canberra in their final home game of the regular season? We’ll let you be the judge, but we know who we fancy to progress to the Prelims here. 

Betting tip: Sydney Roosters. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

Big matches require big performances from big players. Arguably if you’re the current holder of the Dally M Medal (the award for the game’s best player) there’s no bigger player on the planet.

Well, Rooster skipper James Tedesco is that player and he has scored at least one try in six of Sydney's last seven Finals home matches.

Always the man for the big occasion, we’ll be looking to Teddy to make his mark early in this one. 

Betting tip: James Tedesco. 

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of Sydney's last eight home matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under 45.5 total match points. 

Line Prediction

Sydney has failed to cover the line in each of their last five matches at Allianz Stadium.

Betting tip: Sharks (+7.5) line. 

Roosters vs Sharks Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Sione Katoa

Sione Katoa has scored at least one try in each of Cronulla's last seven away matches.

Daniel Tupou

Daniel Tupou has scored at least one try in each of his last six home appearances against Cronulla.

Ronaldo Mulitalo

Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored at least one try in seven of his last eight appearances against Sydney.

William Kennedy

William Kennedy has scored a try in three of Cronulla's last four night matches.

Roosters vs Sharks Teams 

Sydney Roosters Team List 

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Billy Smith

4. Robert Toia

5. Mark Nawaqanitawase

6. Hugo Savala

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Naufahu Whyte

9. Reece Robson

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Salesi Foketi

12. Siua Wong

13. Victor Radley

14. Connor Watson 

15. Spencer Leniu 

16. Nat Butcher

17. Angus Crichton

18. Cody Ramsay

19. Tommy Talau

Cronulla Sharks Team List 

1. Will Kennedy 

2. Sione Katoa

3. Riley Jones

4. KL Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fanua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey (c)

10. Jesse Colquhoun

11. Briton Nikora

12. Teig Wilton

13. Cam McInnes

14. Siosifa Talakai

15. Billy Burns

16. Oregon Kaufusi

17. Tom Hazelton

18. Jayden Berrell

19. Toby Rudolf

Roosters vs Sharks Match Details 

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026. 

Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST. 

Location: Allianz Stadium, Sydney.