Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says under-fire five-eighth James Maloney shouldn’t take all the blame for the NRL premiers’ alarming form slump.
The Roosters sunk to a third straight loss to the same Eels side they clocked up 50 points against last month, in an absorbing encounter at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday.
Maloney’s poor recent displays have put his place in the NSW side for this year’s State of Origin series in doubt, with coach Laurie Daley this week saying he needed to raise his game to guarantee selection.
The former Warriors star and halves partner Mitchell Pearce had the lowest number of forced restarts last year and although they did produce two in the first half, they were unable to drive their side onto the scoreboard in the second period.
Maloney’s miserable evening was compounded 10 minutes from time when he threw the ball into touch when his side were just 20 metres from the Eels line.
Robinson refused to single out Maloney for criticism, but he did admit some of the fifth tackle options taken by his halves were not good enough.
“Some were really good and some were really poor,” Robinson said.
“We had both ends of the spectrum on fifth tackle. We are playing some good footy but we lack the steely edge to finish the game.
“I think we’ve all got improvement in us. Not just Jimmy, the coaches, all of our players.
“This is testing us at the moment. We have to improve.”
Dr Yes
Guest
Pearce has been playing quite well, but not as great as he was at the end of last season. He's topping the stats for linebreak assists (11), has been kicking well, and steering the team around well. He pulled out a play to win the game against Broncos in the final minute. Near the end of the Eels game, he popped a magic short-ball to put SBW straight through which would've won the game, but Hayne miraculously prevented grounding. But his game against the Eels was average, and he needs to give the chooks greater fluency in attack & better 5th tackle options. The forwards have been lacking a bit of punch & roll-on, and have been playing a little one-out, making life tougher for the halves. The complaints about forced drop-outs are partially correct - but last year the Chooks had fewer chances to force dropouts because they were most effective at converting within-range sets to tries (topping tries scored). Pearce's only competition would be Wallace and A Reynolds - and Pearce wins both contests. There are a couple of promising youngsters in Kelly (very much in-form) and Brooks (flashes of skill, but adjusting to NRL level). But both are way too inexperienced and haven't yet achieved in the game or experienced big-game pressure, control & communication - check back in 2 or 3 years. Maloney has been underperforming, but took a step towards improvement against the Eels. J Reynolds (and now it seems Mullens) are providing real competition. Carney has further to go, atm.
B wars
Guest
What about Pearce that bloke always gets a free pass, he is the Roosters 7 and general. he has been outplayed every game this year by his opposite number except Luke Kelly
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
You are dreaming if you think Tigers, Eels and Panthers are going away.
WRB
Guest
Yi yi yippy yippy yi!! NSW need to sack both halves! Qld need a new song! Mitchell Pearce is the next Scott Fulton!
Dave Hill
Roar Rookie
The only reason the comp is close is that the bad weather has evened up the field. Once (or if!) the sun comes out expect to see the same old faces racking up 20 point wins. ie- Roosters- Storm- Souths- Manly. And watch the Knights and Mullen join the fold. PS. Warriors for the spoon..
Murph
Guest
I hate to go against with what I have been saying for the past few year with the "pick and stick" ideology but the NSW halves desperately need rebooting. Pearce has let NSW time and time again and Maloney was neither impressing or horrible in last years series however his form in the beginning rounds have been below par of what would be expected in the Origin arena. I have been screaming out for the last few years for selectors to pick someone with an effective kicking game. For the past years, the halves have been poor with their kicking selections, more often then not bringing in the Maroons ever dangerous backline to strut their stuff. Players like Mullen who have an A class kicking game and the instinct necessary to know when to run the ball needs to be selected for NSW to have any chance. I was at the Raiders vs Knights game and it was Mullen's first game back after injury yet he still had the ability to control the pace of his game. With Mullen at five-eighth I would be tempted to pick Carney who I believe will complement Mullen well in the halves. Whilst Carney is a five-eighth, I don't believe he will have any issues with assuming the halfback role. Any opinions??
Muzz
Guest
Ian - Did Robinson say his team is currently in "an alarming form slump"? Lets not over dramatise things. A little credit should be given to the teams that have significantly improved. Bookmakers still have the Chooks as favourites and imo their season will click into gear in round 8.
Chicken wing
Guest
Dejavu high pressure game hanging on the balance. The team is waiting for someone to step up and the Blues halves go missing lol
Steve
Guest
NSW are history if we pick Maloney and Pearce again. They've been truly underwhelming the last 3 weeks.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Josh Reynolds has been a class above Maloney... Two weeks in a row now and the roosters halves have failed to win games failed to build pressure and ultimately failed nsw. Reynolds and carney is my opinion. Reynolds will get targeted but that's all part of the dance. Please don't pick pearce daley. PLEASE!!!!
KFC
Guest
Why is it just Maloney' name on this headline? Teflon Pearce has been woeful as well.