The Sydney Roosters are on a three match losing streak and face another tough assignment against the Cronulla Sharks away from home. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm (AEST).
Ever since getting out of jail against Brisbane a month ago, the Roosters have failed to kick-start their premiership defence and currently find themselves with a mountain to climb seven rounds into the new season.
The Roosters once again suffered tight defeat, this time to an Eels side that showed plenty of commitment in defence to keep Sydney at bay.
Last season, Sydney finished with the best defensive and attacking record in the NRL. While their defence remains relatively solid, their attack has been poor to say the least.
Trent Robinson’s men have failed to score a single second half point in their past three matches. Such a statistic is cause for great concern.
The effort is certainly there from the Roosters. Bar a poor first round loss to South Sydney, the Roosters have been well in the contest in defeats to Manly, Canterbury and Parramatta.
The Roosters though just lack that killer punch to open teams wide open and this was highlighted when Boyd Cordner somehow bombed a try in the opening few seconds against the Eels last week.
Cronulla meanwhile were well outplayed by Manly last week and are also struggling to find winning form.
The Sharks however have troubled the Roosters greatly in recent seasons at Remondis Stadium and could so here yet again.
Cronulla have to keep things as physical as possible tonight. The Roosters have struggled to match the intensity of opposition rivals over the past few weeks and could do so here if the Sharks roll up their sleeves and brace themselves for an arm wrestle.
With both teams struggling to hit top form, the Sharks at home are certainly capable of causing the upset.
Sharks by 6.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Nice try although,with the touch of sarcasm. They don't need to sell any more land ,they will be making approx.$43m on current sales as it is.And to keep you in the picture Crashy the club is not in any sort of massive debt.They owe $3,5m to a private individual,who is flexible with time repayments and has provided a low interest rate.Perhaps($43m) the sort of money the ARU would like to have on hand. They have a full time CEO by the name of Noyce ,that;s nice(sic). The only aspect you unsurprisingly got correct,it will be a testing year indeed.Especially whilst awaiting the ASADA outcome,which appears to have lasted as long as the last ice age. In the meantime expect an announcement on a Fifita resigning.
Crashy
Guest
Bugger- we'll never get a sponsor or ceo now. I hope the sharkies can win at least 1 more game this season. The only problem is we don't have any more land to sell and we're still massively in debt so could be a telling year.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Carney had a shocker,gifting the try to SKD.That was the difference apart from Carney regularly kicking to Mini and Sheck,who gained metres galore. All the forwards played well.Why oh wh was there no support play fro Heighington when he made a long break and left out in the cold. The unsung wingers were a revelation.Gallen despite the long rest was superb ,offloding from impossible positions and sucking in defenders. An exciting game to watch. All Shark's players except Carney can hold their heads up high. Unforunately another loss bugger!!!
Scrubbit
Guest
Gal wasn't happy about the ref blowing FT. I read a fair few curses flying towards the referees then from the whole forward pack.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Carney the most overrated hyped up player ever in rugby league
Muzz
Guest
He looks disinterested like he did towards the end of his stint at the Roosters.
TheTruth
Guest
Rumors abound that he is back on the turps hard
Muzz
Guest
A very open game of footy with plenty of broken play.Entertaining for some but i have no fingernails left.SKD played on the wing and was on fire scoring twice and running a total of 263 metres.I like him on the wing and we may see a permanent shift next year making way for Tau Tau Moga(The 110kg Myth that can run 100 in under 11 sec).The addition of Gallen added accountability and the Sharks were competitive.I worry about Carney,gut feel tells me something is up.
Renegade
Guest
It was a great game of footy... everyone knew the sharks would be a far better team with all players on deck, what a difference just having Gallen back was - still the best forward in the game. Carney had his worst game in Cronulla colours.... hate to pin it on one player but he was the only one who was below par tonight. Roosters were back to their 2013 form tonight... every time they had the ball they looked threatening - I suspect the Premiers will string a few wins together over the coming weeks.
Paul Higgins
Guest
Waste of time watching the rest of the regular season. May as well wait for the last 2 weeks. Do the NRL decide the final 4 before the season begins?
The eye
Guest
Wasn't it ? A proud performance,the Neville wingers were great,Leutele showing he didnt lose that potential we thought he had after all and Heighington was sensational..hard to say this but the Roosters won on their better kicking game..wow,who'd have thought that
Paul Higgins
Guest
Jennings on the 5 meter line finds Kenny-Dowall on the 3 metre line, reaching forward for the ball, when are the NRL enforce the forward pass rule. Oh sorry you can't question the refs call, even when its obvious, without going to the video ref. Enough said.
Planko
Guest
Looked good tonight sharks ...
Leroy Loggins
Guest
Thanks Alan
Leroy Loggins
Guest
Thanks Alan
Alan
Roar Guru
Roosters end a three match losing streak with a strong 24-18 victory over the Sharks away from home. It was an entertaining and tough contest tonight. Kenny-Dowall with a superb second half, scoring two tries and making plenty of metres. Pearce and Maloney played well. Forwards aimed up against a strong Sharks pack. Gallen superb. Roosters now can look forward to the Anzac Day clash against the Dragons. Thanks for your company tonight and join us next time on The Roar Sharks 18 Roosters 24
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Lui with a solid charge up to the halfway. Maloney with a kick and he finds touch.... FULLTIME Sharks 18 Roosters 24
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Sharks survive but time a real enemy now. Tagataese nearly lost possession. Sharks have to throw caution to the wind. Gallen with a good offload. Great tackle by Maloney. Roosters defending well thus far. Gordon with a nothing kick to Kenny-Dowall. Shocker! Sharks 18 Roosters 24
Alan
Roar Guru
The ball has hit Jennings and Kenny-Dowall in an offside position! NO TRY ROOSTERS Sharks 18 Roosters 24
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Roosters need to build for field goal here. Play direct. Maloney goes high again and its allowed to bounce. Play on and Aubusson scores a cracker! Video referee Sharks 18 Roosters 24