Trent Robinson has hailed Cooper Cronk’s composure in his first hit out for the Sydney Roosters as fellow marquee recruit James Tedesco powered the Tricolours to a 28-26 pre-season NRL trial win over Manly.
After the Roosters’ new era began with 11 straight minutes of defence in Gosford and a 16-0 deficit, doubles from Latrell Mitchell and Tedesco ushered the Tri-colours to victory.
Cronk looked comfortable in getting through 50 minutes of work despite both sides making plenty of handling errors.
Bereft of attacking opportunities early, his combination with hooker Jake Friend at least appeared slick and he was constantly vocal.
“I thought he put his influence on the team around his control of the game,” Robinson said.
“It wasn’t going our way right from the start so we needed to. It was good practice there for how you control the way you want to play when you’re behind on the scoreboard.”
Mitchell showed signs of fulfilling his highly-heralded potential this season in creating his two first-half tries from nothing to put the Roosters back in the match.
His first came when he broke 60 metres down the left wing to open the Roosters’ scoring before powering through four Sea Eagles on the half-time break to reduce the margin to six.
Tedesco then exploded after halftime to put an exclamation mark on his 60-minute performance.
After limited involvement early, he pounced on a Jake Friend grubber in the 50th minute to bring the Roosters level at 22-22 before a try-scoring chip-chase five minutes later to take a six-point lead.
“People call it talent but it’s not talent. The guy works on that kind of stuff and backs his eyes,” Robinson said.
“You could see his confidence growing late in the first half and into the second half.
“He was coming into his game more and more and he knew where to turn up for the players.”
Manly threatened to fight back late when Akuila Uate crossed but Api Koroisau missed the kick from the sideline to level the match.
Regardless, coach Trent Barrett was happy with his new-look spine with Lachlan Croker at five-eighth as both sides finished with five tries.
The rookie had a hand in Manly’s opening four-pointer as he and Daly Cherry-Evans spread the ball right in the second minute and had plenty of involvement as the Sea Eagles built their lead.
He and Cherry-Evans spent 70 minutes together in their only trial appearance ahead of their round-one clash against Newcastle.
Fullback Tom Trbojevic scored in the first-half off hooker Koroisau while older brother Jake got through 53 busy minutes in his return from a World Cup-ending pectoral injury.
“I thought Croks and Cherry and Tom and Api were particularly good,” Barrett said.
“Particularly at the start, it’s not always easy when you do get a lot of good ball at the start of the game and it’s the first time they’ve played together.”
Mushi
Guest
We had the best team on paper the last two years? Gee you really know your rugby league don't you...
Mushi
Guest
As a rooster's fan I think we're over rated. Last year we were a decent team in a comp with only one elite team and one very good. We had a lot of miracle finishes that made the win loss look better than the 1920 minutes as whole did. I laud Robinson as a coach for embracing the risk rather than trying to suppress it but I think the hype will be tough to match. We're now a dead set top 4 with premiership ambitions but the Storm were more than a Cooper Cronk better than the field last year (and I think Cronk is fantastic)
Mushi
Guest
Fingers crossed Mitchell figures out that it's not next try wins for 80 minutes. He can blow a game apart in one moment and then get the opposition back into the contest. If he sticks to the using his athleticism and shelving the play making until he reads the game better he could be prime GI.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I see Manly as a serious contender this year EJ , I think they'll be there right until the end , Top 4.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Blah blah blah , same old shiiite , different year.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the update GA as there seems to be not much footage of the trial available. I think Mitchell will have a big year and I think center is his position although he wants to be a fullback. He is the fittest he has ever been according to his coach which is scary as last year that was what looked to be his major weakness last two years...fading late in games especially in defense.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yes, that is possibly their only weakness up front. That said JWH and Napa are no slouches, one is a Kiwi international and the other plays for QLD. Their only issue is turning off in games but as OB says that is why Cronk is going to be an asset, he is well respected and will rev those forwards up....especially Napa having played together for QLD.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
That was an aspect form last season that was really positive. The ability at times to score tries at will proves that the potential is there. Although we lost to Saints heavily in 17 and were well behind the Storm at Brookie we unleashed such a flurry of tries that both games became winnable at one point. Our ability to concede a flurry of tries has hopefully been addressed as did Hasler in his third year of rebuilding. We are starting from a higher base this time.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I like Napa better when he's just plodding , he's a bit scary when he gets serious.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
The match reports are very deceptive and of not much use really. I really like AFB and he is a potential game breaker as well. Fainu is much bigger than I thought but poor old Lewis Brown looks so small . Brad Parker is another good one I reckon and looks like he can sniff out a try as well. Tom Wright set up a try in the reserves where he broke thru off a standing start with heaps of pace but I reckon his game needs to change from trying to beat too many players from a weak starting point to charging thru the gap like the clappers like Dylan Walker did to great effect last season. He should be trying to combine with DCE and Turbo a lot more I believe. Brian Kelly showed some nice touches and has some attacking skills which are very valuable. I've wondered at times if he is really a 5/8?
MAX
Guest
Hi eagleJack, Manly had the ball for the first 11 minutes of the game and put on a Rugby League Clinic to a standard that made me feel like a teenager. The body language emanating from a rather long warm up was one of a group of mates who were pleased to be in each others company for the battle ahead. The Manly spirit was alive and well. All yours Trent. What followed was a reality check on what is needed to get to the top. I love Ruby League.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
That's where I see Cronk making the biggest impact , he will rev the guts outta the forwards , and that's something Pearce never did . Cronk is a talker and a leader , and that's what the Roosters have lacked more than anything. He should be captain and the only captain.
jacksyd
Guest
Roosters are hoping Cronk and Tedesco will stop the choke gene we have seen the past 4 yrs when fielding the best team on paper. And all under the salary cap somehow LOL
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Fingers crossed Mitchell stays injury free for Origin this year. Out with the old (Dugan, Ferguson) and in with the new (Mitchell, Tom Turbo). Good to hear Tanginoa backed up last weeks effort. I thought he was really good against the Sharks, but he didn’t get much love in the match reports. He and Fonua-Blake (along with Gosiewski and Fainu) were Manly’s best.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Possibly Joe but they will be in trouble if JWH and Napa just plod about the place like they did at the end of last year and again in this trial against the Eagles.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Came here just to see your update MAX as I knew you’d head along again. Disappointing that there is no footage. But from all reports a good hit out for both teams. And no injuries. I’ve enjoyed Manly getting written off again in the pre-season. I reckon they will surprise a few. DCE goal-kicking is a concern though. Hope he steps up with the added responsibility.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think it will be Roosters first and daylight second this year. They've got strike across the park. Expecting them to have a season like the Storm did last year.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I was at the game and it was a good day out. Roosters Sea Eagles games are usually pretty good. Latrell Mitchell has an ability which very few players in NRL history have ever had. That's the ability to score a try by himself with plenty of decent defenders in front of him with absolutely nothing on. Forget about Tedesco who was very average, this was Mitchells game. Mitchell only touched the ball a few times as well. Turbo was hard to handle as well given a bit of room.The best forward was Klepi Tanginoa and surely will be in the team for game one. Shaun Lane was great also. Cronk played well and he is very active in adjusting where he stands to best suit his team. It looks to me that the Roosters are pretty light on for depth after watching the reserves play but the Eagles look pretty good especially for big forwards. If this was a premiership game and the result was important then it was Manlys errors which cost them the game for sure. They seemed to get worse as the game went on. if we have designs on a big year then a reduction in errors and a more consistent defensive effort will help. Jorge Tafua was really strong in his comeback from knee injury but when he was walking about he had a noticeable limp which was rather strange.
MAX
Guest
Hi Scott, It ranks as one of the best trial games of Rugby League in a long memory. Manly have matured into a better team than last year and will make top8. If they could overcome handling lapses and had a reliable goalkicker then top4 is a possibility. Easts will go top4. Put Latrell Mitchell into the Warriors and they would be top 8. For mine he was the star of the show and is heading for the games highest awards. Spare a thought for the Jersey Flegg players in that heat. Easts dominated and are in for a cracker season. The Intrust Super game was directed by Jackson Hastings. He even advised the ref. where to stand in play the balls. Blacktown Workers play a most enjoyable style of Rugby League. It may well be their season. Many thanks to Easts and Manly (all grades) for trialling in such spectacular fashion.