NRL: Roosters rocked by huge double blow

Sydney Roosters somehow have to regroup for a showdown with South Sydney Rabbitohs, after losing two key players to serious injury.

The Roosters hopes of winning the grand final suffered a huge blow after they lost both Sam Walker and Brandon Smith for the rest of the season.

Both players suffered the injuries in the shock loss to the Raiders, a result that also meant they fell out of the top two.

The Roosters were once many peoples hot fancy to go on and win the premiership, but they have now shot out to 7.00 to win the grand final.

Meanwhile there is also a big game at the wrong end of the ladder as the Tigers and Eels battle it out to avoid the wooden spoon.

Both sides are locked on 18 points, and whoever loses will end up with the spoon.

Tigers out to avoid third straight spoon

. What: Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels
. Where: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
. When: 18:00 (AEST), Friday 6th September
. How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo
. Odds: Wests Tigers 2.25, Parramatta Eels 1.65

Wests Tigers will be desperate to avoid a third straight wooden spoon and instead pass it on to the Eels on Friday night.

If the Eels do lose, then it will be the first time since 2018 they have finished the season at the bottom of the ladder.

The Tigers will be hoping home advantage will swing things in their favour. Campbelltown Sports Stadium will be packed to the rafters and they have won the last two games there.

They put on 66 points over those two wins and can be backed at 4.75 to beat the Eels by 13+ points.

The Eels have a good record against the Tigers, winning nine of the last 11 meetings.

Maika Sivo is bang in form with 19 tries in the last 12 NRL games, and the Eels winger is 6.50 to score the first try of the game.

Roosters rocked by injuries

. What: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters
. Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney
. When: 20:00 (AEST), Friday 6th September
. How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo, Channel 9
. Odds: South Sydney Rabbitohs 3.75, Sydney Roosters 1.28

An injury-ravaged Roosters will need to beat the Rabbitohs and then hope Penrith Panthers slip up, if they are to make it back into the top two.

With the Panthers at home to the Titans, it is a big ask, but the Roosters will look to give themselves a lift following a disastrous week.

As well as losing Smith and Walker, Victor Radley and Nat Butcher will also sit out the clash.

The Roosters do have a good record against the Rabbitohs, winning four of the last five games against them.

Trent Robinson’s side are 2.00 to beat them by 13+ points on this occasion.

Daniel Tupou is in red-hot form having scored 12 tries in the last 10 games, but he will be rested for the clash.

Dominic Young has been on fire all season, and the Roosters winger is 6.00 to score the first try or 1.52 to score at anytime.