The game was supposed to be all about a new dawn for the Sydney Roosters and the glorious return of Sonny Bill Williams.
Instead it ended up being the tale of South Sydney’s 28-10 win and showing they’ll certainly be a force to be reckoned with in 2013 and in Greg Inglis the Rabbitohs have arguably the best player in the competition at their disposal.
Inglis was magnificent, having a hand in four of his side’s five tries – three of which were scored by Nathan Merritt.
Forwards Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o were superb for the visitors as was Adam Reynolds, who outshone opposite halfback Mitchell Pearce with an accomplished display.
Williams entered the fray on the 30-minute mark and was greeted with some verbals from Burgess, who then ran over the giant Kiwi, giving him a warm welcome back to the game he walked out on in 2008.
The former Canterbury star did score a late try to add an element of respectability to the scoreline and was solid in defence and will be better for the run.
Souths coach Maguire was delighted with his side’s display and heaped praise on his forwards and Reynolds.
“They (the forwards) were clinical for us. I thought all our front-rowers stood up,” he said.
“The Reyno understands the game and the balance he has between pushing a pass or putting a kick in goal, it’s a big thing for the team.
“Adam’s up there with (the best) with the ability with his kicking. He’s one of the best kickers in the game.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson bemoaned his side’s ill-discipline but said he was pleased with Williams’ contribution after he played the final 50 minutes.
“It was great to see him back,” Robinson said.
“We saw some stuff where he needs to get used to the game again and then we saw him trying to really push hard to try and get us back into the game as well so I was really pleased.”
“I saw some really good stuff with the ball and some good push and he was looking to create some stuff so I think that’s the Sonny that we know.
“It’s going to take a couple of weeks but it was nice to have him out there.”
Merritt admitted he was unsure if he’d even play the game after being dropped for being late for training before the Charity Shield against St George Illawarra.
“I was pretty sad at the time and I didn’t think I’d get back in the side as Bryson (Goodwin) played well,” Merritt said.
“I thought I was going to start the year in first division and got pretty down on myself.
“It was case of picking myself up and being more professional.”
Chris McQueen and George Burgess also crossed for Souths with James Maloney going over after three minutes for the Roosters.
Michael Jennings was placed on report for a high shot on Beau Champion and Sam Burgess was sanctioned for a shoulder charge on Mitchell Pearce.
rabbits72
Guest
Take your blinkers off Godfrey,regardless of the politics,your comments have nothing to do with the truth but everything to do with slender.You simply can not get ovet the fact by how much you lost the vote by.Enjoy the game for what it is,nobody cares about your opinion and thats all it is.
Jersey
Guest
Adam Reynolds is arguably Souths best post war half back. Donohoe, Kennedy , Jones, Coleman , Grant et al. Arguably none better than Reynolds.
Godfrey
Guest
Well, the team wouldn't have enjoyed the win at Souths leagues club because your Messiah's killed it. The same Messiah's who killed the football club's property arm High Concept. Time to take your rose coloured glasses off and see the forest for the trees.
mj
Guest
Reynolds will be NSW 7 otherwise will be another long series for NSW... He out played Pearce easy. Roosters discipline and no structure in attack was terrible. Mortimer should start until friend stops giving away penalties,
Bearfax
Guest
I've thought he was a rising star a few years back Oikee. Yep McQueen is destined for higher honours.
Lost Earthling
Guest
What surprised me most about last nights refereeing was that no penalty was given for a deliberate forward pass from SBW. I'm thinking the refs may have been a little shocked that someone could have thrown the ball that far forward but if ever there was a cse for a penalty for a deliberate forward pass that was it.
rl
Guest
mate, the last time I was right was when I tipped Robbie McCormack into a Kangaroos jersey. Long time between drinks!
oikee
Guest
Stand by your convictions you cant go wrong. And also admit your wrong at times. hehe. In this case you were spot-on. Well played. I rated him as well.
Cyni Cal
Roar Rookie
Either Souths are bloody good or the Roosters are diabolically bad. To be honest I am leaning towards the latter.
rl
Guest
oiks, I got rubbished last year for suggesting McQueen was ready to take the next step up. I say get on the train, or get under the train! Wooo-woooo!!!
Bearfax
Guest
Could see this result coming a mile away. The Sydney media has been building their favourite team, Sydney City, for weeks. They forgot to look at just how tough a side Souths are. Sydney City is no where near the same level as Souths. Barring Injury Souths, Melbourne and Canterbury will dominate this year and any one of them could be premiers. Barring injury my team Manly may sneak into 4th on a par with Cronulla and North Queensland. Then you've got Sydney City. and maybe Brisbane and Canberra
finally some footy
Guest
poor old chooks. all that cash and they turnout a mob of reserve graders. minichello is a dinosaur - too old, too predictable. he is a bottom eight fullback. he's gotta go. mitchell pearce never was, never will be an A grade halfback - hopefully NSW will continue to select him for State of Origin. SBW...he might last the season if shifted to the centres but in the forwards he is going to be the speed bump most favoured by every front rower in the game. when his face starts getting mashed he'll do a runner again. who's the talent spotter for the chooks? stevie wonder?
rabbits72
Guest
Godfrey,right on cue,i can set my watch by your pessimistic thoughts. Ironically the same day Souths win, your head pops up,now thats irony. Where is your thread that says 'well done bunnies'.Oh there isnt one is there?I feel sorry for you.Peddling other peoples thoughts.Failure was Souths second nature long before the Messiah turned up.
buddha9
Guest
very funny man spot on!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Huge performance by the Bunnies, very punishing play.
Mantis
Roar Guru
The Chooks need to sort out their discipline asap. The amount of stupid penalties that were given away is a joke, with the majority of Souths tries also coming off the back of these penalties. Sort this out early, or it could be another season of what if...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Good start for the Bunnies, agree they have a bit of Melbourne look about them. The Roosters will take some time to work in the new recruits but expect them to be in the mix at the pointy end of the season. Go Bunnies !
B.A Sports
Guest
Obviously.... insert eye role.. I couldn't care less about the Roosters. Souths were the better team, they got the rub of the green on numerous calls, and that helps them.- it always helps them. The Roosters have some promise, they just need to play together a bit more and the errors should come down. But if the Roosters get some penatlies for markers not square, or for slowing down of play the balls, then maybe they get a few more attacking sets, score one or two more tries, get some momentum and you have a different game. Souths were the better team, but they were expected to be and weren't that much better.
Arthur fonzarelli.
Guest
Every time I see one of the burgess brothers , I visualise them saying "pikies , ah fookin 'ate pikies " .
oikee
Guest
McQueen was outstanding, he is in the emerging Origin squad and it showed.