If you had have asked me at half-time on Thursday night whether this column was going to be remotely positive about either the Roosters or the Cowboys, the answer would have been no.
The first 40 minutes were some of the worst we have seen this season. An absolute shambles for both sides, to put it nicely. Dropped balls, penalties, poor defence, dreadful attacking decisions – I was about ready to give up on the game and walk away.
But then the Roosters happened.
They clicked into gear like only the Tricolours can and ran away from the hapless Cowboys with a performance that was downright ridiculous.
It was men against boys as they poured on four tries in the first 12 minutes after half-time to go with the two in the final nine minutes of the first half.
That’s six tries in 21 minutes. Just like that the game was gone for the Cowboys, and whether they like it or not, the performance they dished up in defence wasn’t NRL standard.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Heck, it might not even have been reserve-grade standard. I would have been frustrated watching a junior team if they let in that many tries that easily, so you can only imagine what Paul Green was thinking as his side slumped to their second heavy loss in as many weeks.
Last week it was the right edge defensively that got ripped in half by Maika Sivo and the Parramatta Eels. Matt Ikuvalu, who didn’t even know he was playing until ten minutes before kick-off when Brett Morris went down, became the first Rooster in over 60 years to score five tries in a game.
But the feat wouldn’t have been possible for the young winger without the clinical machine that was working across the park for the Roosters.
Joseph Manu continues to move into pole position for recognition as the game’s best centre. He may not have made as many metres in the clash with North Queensland, but he was brilliant in setting up Ikuvalu for a couple of his tries, dragging defenders, offloading, passing the ball perfectly and genuinely being an absolute nuisance to Connelly Lemuelu and Ben Hampton.
Then there was the absolute control of Luke Keary. His kicking game and support play to grab a double himself were brilliant, and his wonderful season continues. And of course, while he has stood up to replace Cooper Cronk, the influence of Kyle Flanagan can’t be understated.
James Tedesco had another ‘quiet’ game. Read: 236 metres from 21 runs, two try assists, two line-break assists, seven tackle busts and five offloads.
And their forwards. I couldn’t count the number of times on two hands they had made 60 metres or more inside the first four tackles of their set. Every time you thought they were going to be under pressure after that first half-hour they found a way to put the Roosters on the attack.
Sio Siua Taukeiaho led the way, while the performance of Sitili Tupouniua off the bench proved it’s not just the stars who can lead the way for the Chooks.
Simply put, even with injuries – no Boyd Cordner, no Brett Morris, no Sam Verrills, no Daniel Tupou and no Victor Radley – they put on a destructive performance.
It was a rugby league clinic made even more impressive by the rebound from the slow start.
It does bring me to a theory, though, and that’s that slow starts in Townsville will become the norm. It takes teams time to warm to a game after spending three hours on an aeroplane. We saw it with the Knights a fortnight ago, and it wouldn’t surprise if it continued, even if the Cowboys struggle to win games.
One of the key factors you look for in any premiership side is ruthlessness and being able to hang in games when you’re not at your best. The ability to sink a losing team further into the earth, to play the full 80 minutes each week and turn up in defence when the going gets tough, as it was in Townsville.
All three factors were there to make up the buzzword for the Tricolours last night. They were pretty average early and even conceded the first try, but they never looked fazed.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Helped by the Cowboys lack of ball control? Absolutely. But they got their defensive line set, overcame the differential of possession they faced early, ground their way back into the game and then, once they got on the scoreboard, went absolutely ballistic.
And instead of stopping after they had a few tries, it was anything but as they put the pedal to the metal, and they ended up scoring 40 points again.
That is the third time in nine games they have gone past 40, which is an impressive feat and continues to stamp a level of dominance over this competition.
I don’t love using the word ‘dynasty’, and maybe it shouldn’t be used after their tight loss to the Storm last week. They are still beatable, although it took one of the best performances in one of the best games of the modern era to do it.
But right now the Roosters are building something special. Two premierships is the beginning. Ruthless intent and a drive to win under Trent Robinson could make it three.
There is a clear bridge between the top and bottom teams in this competition. It was there for all to see last night, and the way the Cowboys clocked off in defence, the assumption would be that pressure on Paul Green is only going to keep growing.
Maybe he will get a stay of execution because it was the Roosters after all, but when they can roll into Townsville and claim two competition points as easily as that the Cowboys boss is in trouble.
Big, big trouble.
But as for Robinson, he has players stand up from outside his core star group after a tough start and continues to have his side humming on all cylinders, and anything less than another trip to the grand final would be a surprise at this point.
It doesn’t matter which team are on the other side of the park. When you can turn it on like the Roosters did last night, you’re always a chance.
It’s going to take something very special to stop them.
Muzz
Guest
If only it was that simple.
Paul
Roar Guru
another "agree to disagree" moment TB. As you say, it's semantics, in part because no can properly describe what is a dynasty in this context, when does it start and stop, etc. I'll guarantee if this question was put to Roar contributors alone, you'd end of hundreds of different thoughts
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’d describe the Dragons streak as a dynasty I don’t think dynasty has to be the same group of players - a dynasty as applied to rulers of a country indicates power or success being handed down generation to generation - I think that’s apt for sports teams We’re probably talking semantics but it’s interesting Everything is cyclical over a long enough period of time. In the 90s teams like the Broncos and Man United looked like they’d be successful forever In the 80s it was Parra and Liverpool...
Paul
Roar Guru
" a sustained period of success". I've never for example, used the term "dynasty" to describe the mighty Dragons run of 11 Premierships and I don't recall it being used by Dragons fans. Through that period and the same as this, there were plenty of changes yet the red V still won. Ditto with the Broncos under Bennett and even your boys with the Mortimer brothers, TB. To me, that word trivialises something that's incredibly difficult to achieve and even more difficult to maintain for any length of time.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t think they’re peaking at all Roosters have improvement left in them I wonder if Robinson is not tapering their preparation a little at the moment before a surge pre semi finals
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’d have thought the definition “a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time” sums up the Roosters pretty well I think dynasty is an appropriate word for a sustained period of success - what word would you use to describe it?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Did you see the two games they lost to St.George? St.George beat them in the major semi but Easts were lucky Graeme Langlands played the grand final after a painkilling injection left him unable to run yet he still took the penalty kicks for touch that went nearly a metre. Easts fans like to talk about the 75 team being great but the 38-0 scoreline was the result of St.George giving up.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Easts of 1975 were lucky Graeme Langlands was playing for them in the grand final. St.George had beaten them twice that year including the major semi final two weeks before. Even with Langlands playing after a painkilling injection left him unable to run the score was 5-0 at half time. At half time the players pleaded with the captain-coach to put the reserve grade full-back on but Langlands declined and so the rest of the team gave up.
Don
Roar Rookie
80% humidity at 18 degrees isn't a killer at all. 18 degrees and raining is 100% humidity and still isn't uncomfortable - just cool and wet.
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
They said 80% humidity.. which is the killer!
Howzat
Roar Rookie
As a Roosters fan it’s great to see the confidence and professionalism that characterizes the club now. It hasn’t always been that way. Following the Roosters throughout the 80’s was not easy. Known as the ‘transit lounge’, the club was nowhere near the powerhouse it is now - on or off the field. I think Phil Gould and Brad Fittler joining the club in the mid 90’s was the catalyst for establishing the ‘new’ successful culture the club enjoys now. Others have played very important roles, and Robinson will probably be remembered as one of the great coaches. But the all-important changing of the culture within the club... from underperformance to modern expectations of success... I believe was instilled by those two. It didn’t happen overnight, but the club is now enjoying the benefits of a transformation of culture brought about through the values and standards set by Gus and Freddy.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
The roosters seem to have a really well balanced side, good mix of experience, youth, flare and grunt players. We all joke about their salary cap, but seriously they haven’t paid overs for any player, unlike some clubs that are throwing around ridiculous offers to try and land just one decent player. Roosters seem to have the model just right.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Exactly in Sydney at night it can get down pretty low. This time of year the players are playing in 6-10 degrees. An extra 8 can be distressing. Many teams are beaten by the Townsville climate.
Clint
Guest
In addition to Pickett's reply I'll also add that Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club is commonly known as Easts and also the home leagues club of the Roosters. They have a number of venues as part of the Easts Group. The Knights have Wests (aka the Wests Group of clubs and venues in the Newcastle area) on their apparel also.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I knew that. Just testing to make sure Max was alert.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
That champion team didnt bumble into a loss that bad last year, nor the year before. The only difference between this week and last week is a decent side played for the full 80, 7 days ago and beat you..so, guess you have every right to be somewhat sooky with that eating at you.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"Let me guess, they have myrtle and green colors?" ....I understand the point you're trying to make Pickett (...and I'm not Max) however myrtle IS green! I assume you're trying to coax Max into telling you that he's a South's supporter - the cardinal (red) and myrtle (green)? (....and I don't know if he is or isn't a Bunnies supporter!)
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Max, you have got dumb again. The Roosters or Tricolours are: Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club (legal name) Trading as Sydney Roosters (trading name) But I'm guessing you already knew that and are just trying to wind us up. So what's your team? Let me guess, they have myrtle and green colors? How many local juniors in your club mate?
Rob
Guest
Right you are. The Roosters ability to know when to hold them and when to fold them is a major part of their success. Getting Teddy, Maloney, Keary even Cronk and the Morris boys while letting Guerra, Napa, Mitchell, TMS, Watson go is exceptional roster rotation. I think Robson has been very good and exposing youngsters when required and bringing them on? Releasing older players they no longer require and picking up quality experience hungry for a chance and what his team requires. I do think he has watched other teams ( good players) and identified what works and improvements he can implement. Much of what Teddy is doing in attack and defence is a replication of Slater, Tedesco popping up from behind the dummy half following the ball down the middle (Bowen, Slater) attacking in pairs and players in motion (Storm), classic long first pass and going wide (through the hands quickly) against a retreating defence (Storm Cronk)? Was Mitchell a replication Inglis and used just as Inglis was at his best (not as a dummy half mule)?
Don
Roar Rookie
Langy did play for the Roosters in 1980. One year in Sydney. Played for NSW, QLD, lost in the GF to Canterbury and won the Dally M hooker in that year then came back to Brisbane. Then he coached Easts to. BRL premiership in 1983