Sydney Roosters have jumped to the top of the NRL ladder with a gutsy 18-14 win over arch-rivals South Sydney.
The Roosters proved their premiership credentials on Friday night with a win built on staunch defence as Souths dominated field position but couldn’t deliver the killer blow.
Both sides suffered casualties, with Souths fullback Alex Johnson leaving the field after two-and-a-half minutes with a hamstring injury in front of 26,331 fans at ANZ Stadium.
While his Roosters opposite James Tedesco missed the last 12 minutes due to a head knock after copping friendly fire from Latrell Mitchell.
Sam Burgess had a shocker, making five errors from 20 carries, including dropping it with his side on the attack with less than three minutes to go.
The result sees Trent Robinson’s side jump ahead of Souths but Melbourne have a chance to regain the competition lead when they take on Cronulla on Sunday.
When the Roosters went the length of the field in three plays for Joseph Manu to touch down in the right-hand corner, they had a six-point advantage 13 minutes after halftime.
A Mitchell penalty put Roosters in front by eight and ultimately Souths couldn’t run them down.
The hosts set up a grandstand finish when Braidon Burns flicked a pass behind his back for Hymel Hunt to cross and peel their deficit back to four with 15 on the clock.
However, the Roosters held firm to prove they’re the real deal.
Souths halfback Adam Reynolds appeared to carry a leg injury and made five errors in what was a forgettable performance.
When asked if his side were now premiership favourites, Robinson said: “No.
“It can’t change within a night. We haven’t been there all year.
“And it’s insignificant as well. It’s changed three weeks in a row. Within eight days we’ve had three (competition favourites).”
Seibold said it was unclear how long Johnston would be out for but admitted his side were battling with injuries in their outside backs.
“We’re a little bit under the pump at the moment with Greg Inglis and Rob Jennings and Campbell Graham all injured and now Alex,” Seibold said.
“Adam Doueihi is included as well, he’s out for the year. I was really happy with our depth.
“(Fill-in fullback Dane Gagai) hasn’t done any reps the whole season at fullback. Young Tyrell Fuimaono, we pulled him up two days ago, hasn’t trained with us for months, for him to do a good job like he did on Latrell Mitchell. You guys like at the result, I look at the effort.”
Skipper Inglis is expected to return from a broken thumb against Brisbane next week but Seibold said he was no certainty.
JN
Guest
i agree. i hate channel 9. They are just has beens. Fools Gold keeps repeating himself all the time, and constantly says irrelevant comments such as 'i remember the colour of my boots when i was young.' Who cares Phil. Also, i disagree that all of channel 9 loves the roosters, because Phil Gould doesnt like them. im sure of it. Andrew Johns is a fanboy though
JN
Guest
3 hats, i can understand why your profile states that your a rookie, as 95% of the comments you make are coming from the mind of a deluded souths fan, Plus, 'the scum' is a really bad nickname for the roosters. i mean come on. South Sydney Rabbidopes supporters just constantly whinge. tsk tsk tsk
Pickett
Guest
3 Teef, Losers make excuses Winners make love to the prom queen
Barry
Guest
who cares you play with who you have and against who they have - bit like saying oh I would have won lotto/powerball etc if I purchased a ticket
Barry
Guest
you rent a studio flat in Redfern as no vermin supporters work to own anything - just look at vermin supporters teeth they don't have many- a night out in Redfern is a meat pie /chips and a can of fanta
Barry
Guest
you lost even though the Roosters were very poor and the refs kept you in the game as well - no one likes your grubby club or you leader crowbar
Barry
Guest
Good to see the chooks win as no one except souths supporters like them- they are a grubby club stealing areas and backing down on hand shake deals to play a grand final vs Balmain- never forget this
JimboJones
Guest
Tissue old boy ?????
Worlds Biggest
Guest
We need GI back as running low on outside backs at the moment. GI is one of the key cogs in the attack as he tends to attract two defenders freeing up space on the edges. Hopefully he and Graham are back next week.
christos sintos
Guest
Sooo....now it`s alright to call our oponents ``Scum`` or this is reserved just for the Roosters???
Brendon
Guest
Neutral supporter here, was a good game, exciting to the last minute. South fans, I'd be worries about GI coming back, he is a leader on the field but right now the bunnies are going strong and I reckon he'd be detrimental (similar to Thurston at the Cowboys). So his omission may not be a bad thing... And just a note, first try to the bunnies, should have been an obstruction. Burgess stopped the roosters player by stopping in the line. Not sure why it wasn't.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Bunnies fan here and happy Fox subscriber, can’t stand the gibberers at Ch 9. Only Sterlo holds his own, the rest are dross. Gould is a miserably sod, Rabs should be on the golf course whilst Joey and Freddy roam the sideline like there on a con tiki tour.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Firstly, you are a 'Clown Mushi, that is very offensive and uncalled for!!! Secondly, who watches the footy on Fox and Ch9? Ohh it must be you, listen I've lived in the Eastern Suburbs all my life and I have properties in Bellevue Hill, Bondi but, your comment is most certainly uncalled for and very offensive!!! Listen, watching and listening to the clowns on Ch9 Gould, Johns and Fittler who are all Worsters is absolutely punishing, as they continually rabble on about the Worsters, don't know why? What a bunch of clowns, this is especially Gould and his antics today, don't talk about Fittler, he was a Panthers player and he goes for the Roosters? Figure that one out? Listen 'Mushi' all us Bunnies fans were there at the game, we don't need the poor excuses of a telecast from Fox and Ch9 lol
Mushi
Guest
Who watches channel 9? Forgot, Souths fans can't get foxtel...
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
Back of defence? 2 tries each I believe so stop mimicking the nine network suck ups Gould, Fittler and Johns.
Ja ja klazo
Guest
South Sydney fans are hilarious. Who cares how much Easts won by? They won, and it was on the back of excellent defence. Mitchell was kept quiet, chances are that won't be the case next week. Especially when roosters have their energiser bunny back. Talk all you like about the players you had out, it's rugby league - injuries happen. Hopefully we get round 3 on the last day of September, wouldnt that be a spectacle!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Souths had 5 backs out and had to overcome a horrendous game from Sammy, yet they still came within earshot of winning. That shows real ticker and character. Souths will take a lot out of that effort, no team would overcome 5 backs being out. T Burgess was immense and Murray was everywhere in defence. The Chooks won this battle however the war is still be won !
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Roosters are a real pathetic club if they can only win by 4 points considering that GI, Jennings, Graham, Doueihi were all out plus AJ went off after only 2 minutes. The Scum had 1 player out! Ask yourself this question How would the scum go if they had Tedesco, Mitchell, Ferguson and Tapou all out injured? That is the equivalent of the players Souths had out. 2 trys each with only 2 Penalty goals being the difference. NOT a glaring endorsement for the Rorts at all. Bring on September and a full strength Rabbitohs outfit and we can all judge then!
Roy
Guest
Souths fans are delusional. It will be a Roosters Storm GF.
JN
Guest
roosters were pretty poor. Too many errors and penalties meant that they couldnt build any pressure in attack. with that said, without luke keary and a forward as their five-eighth, the roosters still won, mainly due to our defence. Cut down the errors and the penalties and i reakon the roosters would have put a big score on the scoreboard