It is certainly going to be a Friendly battle between the number nines tonight when opposing skippers and hookers Nathan and Jake Friend go head to head.
Jack Friend has been in good form for the Roosters even through their winless period in the first five rounds and is as smart out of dummy half close to the line as any hooker in the NRL. He is averaging an astonishing 55 tackles a match as he plays 80 minutes most matches.
Fronting him is the fearless Friend, Nathan, who has been quite tidy himself with his form this season and is averaging 32 tackles a game although only playing an average 46 minutes a match.
The experienced rake has led the defensive line up and, despite taking some knocks, has been bending low and taking bigger men head on effectively. He’ll play the first 30-50 minutes before being replaced by Kierran Moseley while Friend will be a threat all match.
Let’s see how the Friends match up:
NATHAN FRIEND
Age: 35
Height: 172cm. Weight: 85kg
Games: 229
2016 STATS
Avg. metres per game: 24
Avg. runs: 3.3
Avg. tackles: 31.9
Line breaks: 0
2016 Tries: 0
Career tries: 14
JAKE FRIEND
Age: 26
Height: 175cm. Weight: 92kg
Games: 174
Avg. metres per game: 35.3
Avg. runs: 5.2
Avg. tackles: 55.4
Line breaks: 2
2016 tries: 1
Career tries: 21
