Marshall on Saturday said of the front-rowers’ duel: “That’s why people watch the game. When we took our game to Vegas, we pride [ourselves] on the collisions and how tough they are.
“To see those two go at it, if they are on the field at the same time – I think Jared comes off the bench – but if they do, I’m sure there will be fireworks.
“Jared is a great player. The way he plays on the field doesn’t represent who he is off it. He’s quite the opposite and a really good bloke.
“For us, Stefano is a big part of our forward pack and what we do. We need all of the players backing him up and doing the same thing. He can’t do it by himself.”
Marshall said the Tigers remained “very hopeful” they could keep Utoikamanu, and wanted him to only focus on his game.
“I told him, ‘You have to do what’s best for you at all times’,” Marshall said.
Young bull versus old bull: Stefano Utoikamanu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will clash at Allianz Stadium.
“That [final] decision, hopefully we get enough games on the board where he can see where we’re going, and he wants to be a part of it.
“If he doesn’t, good luck to him. At the moment, we’re still very confident.”
The Tigers have not won three straight games since 2018. They welcome the return of John Bateman from a pec injury for the first time since round 10.
The Roosters also have James Tedesco, a former Tigers favourite, celebrating 150 NRL games for the Bondi club.
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