Roosters
30
Match Complete
Rabbitohs
6
| 65 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| 64 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 58 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 35 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 30 | ||
| S. Taukeiaho | | 29 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 26 | ||
| B. Cordner | | 25 | ||
| M. Aubusson | | 10 | ||
| L. Mitchell |  | 8 | ||
| J. Manu | | 2 |
| 6 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The Sydney Roosters have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 points to 6 in what was an absolutely dominant display and a complete reversal of last week’s result.
Final score
Sydney Roosters 30
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Match preview:
The NRL Finals Series commences with a huge second vs third clash between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, just one week after the two sides did battle in their final game of the regular season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Despite tasting defeat in their previous two encounters this season (round 1 and last week), the Roosters go into this game as red-hot favourites, with many punters thinking it’ll be a case of third time lucky for the defending premiers.
The Roosters welcome back to the side Brett Morris, Luke Keary, Mitch Aubusson and Siosiua Taukeiaho, all of whom missed last week’s clash. This coupled with the fact that many (myself included) aren’t convinced that the better team actually won last week, is the reason for the Roosters’ seemingly unlikely favouritism.
The Roosters dominated early in last week’s game. They took a 10-2 lead into halftime, but it easily could have been 20-2 had a few more passes and kicks found the mark. To their credit, the Rabbitohs were able to wrestle the momentum of the game back, producing a dominant second-half display to win 16-10.
However, their defensive frailties were exposed in that first half, leading many to think that a full-strength Roosters side fully on their game (as they no doubt will be on Friday night) would have put the Rabbitohs to bed before halftime.
To make matters worse for Souths, they will be without representative stars Sam Burgess (suspension) and Dane Gagai (hamstring). The loss of Gagai is offset somewhat by the return of James Roberts who was suspended several weeks ago for a cheap shot on Corey Oates.
While Tevita Tatola will come into the starting side to cover for Sam, and brother George Burgess is now eligible to play again after serving a 9-week suspension for an eye-gouge on the now-retired Robbie Farah (although he has been named in the reserves and not the top 17), there is no real way to replace the loss of Sam Burgess. Even below his best (as he has been for much of 2019) his absence leaves a huge hole for the Rabbitohs to fill.
Prediction
If the Rabbitohs let the Roosters get off to a great start again I don’t think they’ll be contained like they were last week. Starting well needs to be the number one goal for Wayne Bennett’s men. Getting into an early grind with the Roosters is their best chance for victory later in the game.
There is plenty of class across the park for both sides, as there should be in a second vs third match. The Rabbitohs through the likes of Cook, Walker and Murray are just as capable of putting together a quick few tries as the Roosters are through Tedesco, Keary and Mitchell.
What separates the two sides is really the front row. This is the hole that Sam Burgess’s absence leaves. Tevita Tatola and Liam Knight are really going to have to punch above their weight to keep up with Kiwi test players Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (who many will agree is lucky to be taking the field this week after his sickening hit on Knight) and Isaac Liu.
I think the Roosters will have learned plenty from last week’s loss. This will put them in good stead to defeat the Rabbitohs convincingly and advance straight to week 3 of the finals.
Roosters by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm (AEST).
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
When: 7:50pm
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, 9 Now, Kayo Sports
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner (C) 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Ryan Hall
Rabbitohs
1. Adam Doueihi 2. Alex Johnston 3. James Roberts 4. Campbell Graham 5. Corey Allan 6. Cody Walker (C) 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Jaydn Su’a 13. Cameron Murray 14. Ethan Lowe 15. Dean Britt 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Mark Nicholls 18. George Burgess 19. Bayley Sironen 20. Connor Tracey 21. Mawene Hiroti
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I am well aware Andrew. I lived on the Central Coast for 15 years until 16 months ago. It doesn't make him a Manly junior either though. I know Knights history well but I felt it was relevant to mention that the Roosters rejected him and either couldn't see his potential or didn't know how to develop the potential inside him. Papa Smurf did both and full credit to the geriatric stick insect.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately THAT ship has sailed. The Roosters haveca LOT more depth than Souths (for obvious reasons) and they also are playing with TWO South Sydney juniors (Nat Butcher and Billy Smith). Souths have NO REAL FB at the club, no real option for a backup HB or 5/8 (with Connor Tracey leaving and being given next to no game time all year) and NO backup for Cook at Hooker. Billy Brittain just dirsn't look ready for the NRL yet and has had only one game this year. All that means Souths in a very vulnerable and precarious position with maintaining their spine. All this would have made it hard for the old fox to rest Cook and as Cook is one of, if not THE fittest player in the NRL it may have felt like a justifiable gamble. Bennett would probably claim that his gamble was justified as Souths only just scraped into the top 4 as it is. Without Cook that would not have been possible and that kind of performance in anything other than a Qualifying Final in week 1 of the finals would mean instant elimination. That is why a week off for the Bunnies would have been a much needed boost for the Bunnies to build on their momentum going into the finals. Now they have to rally next week with finally the closest thing they have had to a full-strength side since round 1. But Corey Allan, Mark Nicholls and Dean Britt ALL have to go!
Andrew
Guest
Actually, Liam Knight is a Central Coast junior who played u/20’s and debuted with Manly before going to Canberra and now is at Souths.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Isn't the double header Melbourne vs Canberra and Manly vs Cronulla?
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Ouch what a flogging. Almost as bad as Dragons destroying Broncos in the first week of the Finals last year. Wayne Bennett is clearly not doing a good job getting his teams ready for the big ones - he is now 78-24 in his last two Finals games.
Ken
Guest
Smurf you guys got smashed , totally outclassed , Roosters an Storm way too good for you , keep dreaming ????
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Big Daddy - just checked Ticketmaster; an adult GA ticket at Brookie is $25; concession and junior is $15. Nowhere near as bad as tonight, thankfully. Enjoy the game :)
scoop
Roar Rookie
GA adult tickets cost $25, concession $15. Easy to check. Good match, great atmosphere. Don’t be so negative.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
$39 for a GA ticket?! That is absolutely insane; I assumed it was $25-30 at the most; and even that was pushing it. Agree with you regarding the SCG; it's a disgraceful venue for rugby league. Terrific for AFL and cricket, but not league. Don't think moving next year's GF there was the smart move; should go to Bankwest or Suncorp. 30k in a Sydney derby on a Friday night isn't ideal. 30k in a finals match between the oldest and biggest rivalry in league history is horrific.
thomas c
Guest
The best defence is an offense. Rabbitohs couldn't bend the Roosters line back and get quick play the balls. Having enough of an attack to get the burgess brothers in 1 on 1 tackles would help. The roosters were decent. Latrell's kicking was off. JWH's trip should be punished (he got a reprieve last week) and I saw some wild elbows thrown to lash out at tacklers. Dumb stuff, but I doubt anyone will be suspended (because roosters). The discipline stuff might be more of an issue in a genuine contest or when there is some real pressure. There were a couple plays that broke down despite no real pressure and Tedesco was less than his usual perfection.
Jacks
Roar Guru
.The Rest thing is really interesting, following the Roosters I have watched Robinson rest basically everyone during the year and I wonder if Bennett has missed a trick by allowing Cook and Murray in particular play so much time. Murray last week was dominate like one of the most dominate displays from any forward this year tonight he only made 6 runs.
JN
Guest
A ha hahahahahaaaa
JimboJones
Guest
I prefer a close game , but on this occasion , a whooopin was acceptable .
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
And Sam has to behave himself. Also Cook and Murray haven't been rested since Origin and Cook played 80 mins tonight and made 56 tackles! While Cam Murray played 62 mins and made 39 tackles. Cook has to be one of the fittest players in the game but he is getting progressively fatigued as the season grinds on. No excuses though. The Roosters were far too good and Souths weren't mentally prepared for the ambush and the arm wrestle and were shellshocked inside the first 10 - 15 mins. But at least they get another shot next week.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Oh, cmon Wayne , do the Nut Bush
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Some great play by the Chickens. The Bunnies were well off the pace but where is the influence of their coach? His teams have been hammered in their last 3 finals games when he's meant to be at his best.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Will indeed be interesting to see what happens re JWH's trip. It may have been involuntary,but, was a trip none the less. I can only ask that the MRC be consistent.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not sure mate - I know I was surprised when I went to the Cricket Ground early in the year though - I've never paid more than $30 for a GA ticket... Normally around the $25 mark at most grounds.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Thanks Insider! Glad you enjoyed!
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
cheers Stormy! Gee the Roosters look good with Keary pulling the strings!