Former Roosters playmaker Jackson Hastings is tipping Super League side St Helens to get the job done over the NRL premiers in this weekend's World Club Challenge.
The Super League champions will look to prevent the Roosters becoming the first back-to-back winners of the World Club Challenge this Sunday morning (AEDT).
And Hastings, who played 34 games for the Tricolours over three seasons, thinks the English side have enough quality to upset his old team.
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"It’s a big game - obviously the NRL sides are hotly favoured when they come to play our Super League sides, but if any side is going to do it, I think it’s this St Helens side," Hastings said.
"Obviously I played for the Roosters and I’m extremely proud of my time there, but I play in the Super League now and St Helens are flying the flag for the whole of England, so I hope they get the job done."
Hastings moved to England following a turbulent couple of seasons with Manly, joining Salford Red Devils and winning the Man of Steel award for 2019.
Now with Wigan Warriors, the 24-year-old has seen St Helens up close and personal and is backing them to win a nail-biter.
"It’s no fluke what St Helens did last year, and I think they’d compete in the NRL, to be honest, and that’s how good I think they are - it’s going to be a tight game, but I actually think they’re going to do it," he said.
"I think it will be a game that’s going to go down to the wire, but I’m going to say 22-18 to St Helens."
It won't be a full strength side for the Roosters, with captain Boyd Cordner set to sit out the game as a precaution.
The departure of Latrell Mitchell and injury to Billy Smith has opened up a spot at left centre, with coach Trent Robinson expected to trial backrower Angus Crichton in the position.
Sitili Tupouniua is the likely replacement for Cordner alongside veteran Mitch Aubusson in the second row, while young halfback Kyle Flanagan will make his debut for the club having joined from Cronulla over the off-season.
St Helens, now coached by Tonga boss Kristian Woolf following the departure of Justin Holbrook to the Gold Coast, are equal top of the Super League, with two wins from their opening three games.
