On the hunt for a third straight NRL premiership, Sydney Roosters were among the big winners from controversial rule changes brought in to maximise the speed of the game.
Along with unbeaten Canberra and Parramatta, the Roosters looked most comfortable in a quicker game in Round 3, able to defend with energy and use their opponents’ fatigue to their advantage in attack.
It was all due to the Roosters’ mentality – new rules are much easier to manage if you are fit enough.
Their mobile forward pack rolled through South Sydney and defended brilliantly at the other end in a 28-12 win on Friday night.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Second-rower Angus Crichton believes a faster ruck suits the Roosters, because although it is painful to maintain it makes players more accountable for their fitness levels.
“You have to be fitter if you want to play 80 minutes or be a good player,” he said on Sunday.
“You can’t just have those quick bursts of energy if you’re going to be tired the next set.
“You’ve got to be fitter, stronger and faster. It’s tougher for us as players but as a fan watching the games I think it’s good viewing.
“We’re blessed in the fact that our middles are hard-working and they like to play big minutes and that suits our mobile forward pack.”
Although coach Trent Robinson was originally wary of making rule changes while the competition was paused, speed around the ruck and a resolute defensive attitude allowed the Roosters to resume as normal.
It bodes well for their second straight title defence as they look to become the first team since Parramatta in 1981-83 to win three consecutive premierships.
The Eels were the first winners of the restarted competition and showed how to utilise momentum from six-again ruck calls to tire out the defence.
Their 34-6 win over Brisbane on Thursday night was the litmus test for NRL games to come in how the rule changes would impact the flow of the game.
The Eels passed with flying colours, showing crafty play around the ruck – a ploy used equally successfully by Canberra in their 22-6 win over Melbourne.
Speed from dummy half, creativity from new half George Williams and determined defence gave the Raiders their third straight win over the Storm on Saturday night.
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Manly also look set to benefit, with Tom Trbojevic having a hand in five tries in his first game under the new edict.
The Sea Eagles fullback scored two and set up another three in Manly’s 32-6 win over Canterbury, with his input as much about good positioning as it was the ruck speed.
Elsewhere, St George Illawarra could not get into the game against the near-perfect Warriors on the Central Coast, clocking up their third loss for the season.
Coach Paul McGregor is now under serious pressure to keep his job considering the Dragons have won just two of their last 13 games – both against the 2019 wooden spooners Gold Coast.
Newcastle and Penrith played out a thrilling 14-14 draw at Campbelltown Stadium to remain undefeated, while North Queensland and the Wests Tigers were the other winners in Round 3.
Cronulla, St George Illawarra, Canterbury and the Gold Coast all remain winless.
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
I'll disagree respectfully....haaaa....How many times did you watch the game??? I just thought Souths didn't earn the right to get quick play the balls and the ref saw it that way. They don't run hard enough and they often surrender hoping to get a quick play the ball. (Murray is the king of this lame type of footy... great player with so many wonderful attributes, his surrender tackles and subsequent quick play the ball are not one of them IN MY BOOKS) Compare the way Cordner runs to Murray ....hard and fast as. If he gets a quick play the ball, it's because he has destroyed the defender and eared it. I can't stand the surrender tackle and I hate the game being about the dummy half. It never was about either ... but I also hate the wrestle... I thought the ref was spot on!! I've seen many roosters play those tactics also...SKD and Sam Perret were often trying to play the ball as soon as the defence looked at them....loved Craig Wing darting out of dummy haly...but only when they earn it.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
you will be eating your words when the storm win the premiership :laughing:
Dayer
Roar Rookie
check Hargreaves tackling tactics in the game.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
mate gotta admit that the roosters were holding down a bit longer than the rabbits. its not their fault its the referee's fault. there should have been more 6 again for the rabbits in the first 20 minutes but the referee did not call them. cheers
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
Absolute rubbish...how many times did you watch the game? I watched it closely last night for the 3rd time and their defence was due to the lack of potency in Souths running. They run softly with no creativity and are easy to pick off, get numbers in the tackle and control. They were called out for surrendering more than any team I can recall over the weekend which is their weak tactic to try to get Damien Cook into the game because they have nothing else to offer.
Taree Raider
Guest
The Chooks & Eagles were the only teams on the weekend getting away with wrestling in the ruck. It was only allowed because the Ref's in both games allowed it to happen. Hopefully the Ref's will realise that everyone in Rugby League, fans, broadcasters, NRL love the new way the game is played. The only ones who don't are Bellamy, Robinson & Hasler.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I recall Tim Gore attributing Manlys decent season last year in part or largely due to the teams ability to slow down the ruck area. While I can't pretend to be a great student of the topic , I wasn't all that worried about the issue because I have believed for a while now the team is developing well and has the cattle and team spirit to handle changes in rules. A win against the Dogs isn't conclusive evidence that I'm right however and next week against the Eels will be a better guide.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Now if they just allowed the markers to strike for the ball we might get things really back on track. Much cleaner play the ball with square markers, just slow the game a tad but not significantly as to spoil the flow we are now seeing. Funny how years ago we had to be fit enough to play for 80 minutes and in the case of VFL/AFL 100+ minutes with only a couple of injury reserves.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Yep agree Dan, I never considered the Chooks any more than on par with most when it came to the wrestle & slow down of the play the ball, but by golly the Storm turned it into an art form
Dan67B
Roar Rookie
I think headline should have read "Wrestle happy Storm show new rule doesn't suit them."