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The Sydney Roosters have recorded their first win of the 2016 NRL season, with a commanding seven-point win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs, that looked better than it appeared on the scoreboard.
The Roosters, after weathering an early storm from the South Sydney offence, dominated the game for the remainder, led by front-rower Dylan Napa, who has a brilliant performance in both attack and defence.
The Rabbitohs were simply unable to capitalise on their momentum early in the game, and after a try against the run of play for the Roosters they never looked back. The scoreboard, which read 17-10 at the end of the clash didn’t really do the performance justice.
The Roosters, probably didn’t throw as much at the Rabbitohs as they could of, but none the less their defence was brilliant, pinning the Rabbitohs inside their own half multiple times throughout the final hour of the game.
After the Rabbitohs failed to score with a truckload of territory and possession, Daniel Tupou scored against the run of play with a long range effort.
A break from inside their own half saw Jackson Hastings link with Aidan Guerra who was held just a metre out from the line. With a quick play the ball, and the Souths defensive line in all sorts a quick chip over the top from Hastings saw Tupou score in the corner, untouched.
Through Dylan Napa, who continued to hit the line hard, and make bruising tackles the Roosters took over the ascendency of the game and were in for their second just 14 minutes later through Guerra.
Unlike his earlier charge, this was from short distance and he scored with the assistance of the video bunker after they determined he got the ball down through four defenders.
Souths managed to get a few decent sets towards the end of the first half, and a long range break down the left hand side of the field would lead to their first try soon after.
Scored on the right by Aaron Gray as they switched from one side to the other, there was some fantastic passing along the line to ensure he would score untouched.
The halftime score would remain 10-4, but the Roosters continued to sap energy out of the Bunnies.
The trend would continue after the break, with the Roosters running riot, but unable to add to the scoreboard more than once. They were finding it far too easy, not only to get out of their own half but to pin the Rabbitohs in theirs with defence that was constantly rushing out of the line.
They would score through Dylan Napa off a Jackson Hastings chip kick that was pretty much down to perfection, before they shut the game out in the final half an hour.
Latrell MItchell was another who was fantastic all night, making 172 metres from his 17 runs. The Roosters, in the final 15 minutes had plenty of sets on the Rabbitohs line and after passing up the field goal twice, then having two attempts missed they eventually hit one 12 minutes from time through Jackson Hastings.
The Rabbitohs would score a late consolation try, again a long range effort to Cody Walker but it all amounted to nothing as they went down by seven at Homebush.
In the end, a fantastic performance from the Sydney Roosters to get their first win of the season.
Score
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10
Sydney Roosters 17
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are looking to build form and consistency against the winless Sydney Roosters, who badly need to kickstart their season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).
To say the Rabbitohs have been inconsistent across the first five rounds this season would be putting it lightly.
They had a fast start to the season, running up 40 points against the Roosters in Round 1 and then 48 over the Newcastle Knights, although they are two sides tied to the bottom of the table.
They then lost in appalling conditions at the SCG to the St George Illawarra Dragons, and got belted by 30 against the Canterbury Bulldogs, although they were missing plenty through injuries.
Souths then bounced back last week to unconvincingly beat the Manly Sea Eagles.
Sam Burgess’ return for that Manly clash had a massive impact, but they are badly missing Adam Reynolds. His kicking game and temperament is key for the Bunnies, and with all due respect to Cody Walker and Luke Keary, they have been unable to replicate it.
The Rabbitohs have made limited changes for this clash, extending their bench to six with the inclusions of Paul Carter and Bryson Goodwin.
The Roosters on the other hand have been consistent, but consistently poor. They have improved in terms of effort and structure since their Round 1 shellacking at the hands of the Rabbitohs, but it has been tough going.
Since that 42-10 defeat in Round 1, and a one-point loss to the Canberra Raiders the next week, the Chooks went down by 40 and were held scoreless against the Cowboys.
Despite the fact they haven’t won, that game in North Queensland seemed to be the low point of their season so far, with two and four-point losses to the Sea Eagles and New Zealand Warriors following respectively.
Like Souths, they have made limited changes, adding Abraham Papalii to the bench.
They key for Easts is their defence. Despite the Rabbitohs’ faltering attack without Reynolds, they could still run up a score if the Roosters don’t improve their defence from past performances.
Prediction
The Roosters’ winless start to the season will continue.
Rabbitohs by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 6 match from 7:50pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde