Cody Walker, five-eighth for South Sydney, acknowledged that the Roosters deserved to rest about $5 million in talent for Friday night's significant matchup. However, the NRL's second-oldest player noted he felt worse after his previous unexpected week off.
With a top-four finish secured, coach Trent Robinson has chosen to rest several top players, including captain James Tedesco, experienced playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans, and Origin talents like Mark Nawaqanitawase, Reece Robson, and Rob Toia, along with key first-graders Hugo Savala, Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong, and Billy Smith.
South Sydney will not risk Tallis Duncan due to hamstring tightness as they head into the finals, but they remain nearly at full strength, with Latrell Mitchell set to play in the centres for this significant match.
Robinson's decision to rest nine of his key players means that Cherry-Evans and Savala will enter the finals without game experience, following Sam Walker's likely season-ending ankle injury from last Saturday.