Roosters
28
Match Complete
Rabbitohs
12
| K. Flanagan |  | 78 | ||
| J. Friend |  | 76 | ||
| 61 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 60 | | T. Burgess | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 48 | ||
| B. Cordner | | 46 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 41 | ||
| 36 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 35 | | C. Murray | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 29 | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 28 | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 5 | ||
| D. Tupou | | 3 |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL’s oldest rivalry will resume without fans and on foreign ground in Sydney’s west when the Sydney Roosters look to ease some pressure against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:55pm (AEST).
The Roosters are one of six teams who are yet to win a game as the season gets back underway, and will need to turn that around in a hurry.
They may well have to win 13 of 18 games to make the top eight, so each loss to restart is only going to make that tougher.
It’s not as if they were poor in losses to the Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers to start the season, but with Kyle Flanagan and Luke Keary still trying to work on their combination in the halves, and both Mitchell Aubusson and Sio Siua Taukeiaho to miss this game, there are issues the tri-colours need to work through.
With it surely impossible that James Tedesco can play as well as he did last year, there is a clear picture that the Roosters may not be quite as good as the last two seasons.
That’s not to say they come into the derby as outsiders. The Rabbitohs are facing a myriad of their own problems.
Latrell Mitchell hasn’t fit in well at fullback, Cody Walker is suspended, their forwards are lacking a little bit of go-forward, and the team doesn’t seem to have gelled well across the paddock.
Both of these teams are struggling in attack, so it’s hard to see this being free-flowing or high-scoring, so the fitter team could take the chocolates.
There are some defensive worries out wide for South Sydney as well, with Campbell Graham and Braidon Burns in the centres against the newly recruited Josh Morris, and Joseph Manu.
That’s one battle they will have to hold their own in, but as is the case with all South Sydney games, they need to set the tempo and play a fast brand of footy. Do that, and they have f-factor talent – Mitchell, Damien Cook, Cameron Murray and Adam Reynolds – to flip games.
Prediction
I’m backing the outsiders. The Roosters are traditionally poor starters, and Adam Reynolds might pull a special performance out of the bag on the back of Murray, Thomas Burgess and Liam Knight laying the platform.
Rabbitohs by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 7:55pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta
TV: Live, Fox League 502, Channel 9
Online: Live, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, 9 Now NRL Digital Pass,
Betting: Roosters $1.35, Rabbitohs $3.20
Overall record: Played 222, Rabbitohs 115, Roosters 102, drawn 5
Referee: Ashley Klein
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Siosiua Taukeiaho 19. Ryan Hall 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Poasa Faamausili
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Dane Gagai 3. Campbell Graham 4. Braidon Burns 5. Alex Johnston 6. Troy Dargan 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su’A 12. Cameron Murray 13. Liam Knight
Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls 15. Ethan Lowe 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Patrick Mago 18. Bryson Goodwin 19. Tom Amone 20. James Roberts 21. Keaon Koloamatangi
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Precisely… I hadn’t realised that fans of the premiership holders of the last two years were in need of affirmation.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Spot on about Klein - he looked as though he wasn't even aware of the new 6 again rule - in contrast with Sutton who did a fantastic job in the Broncos v Eels match. And the Roosters looked continually offside in the second half when defending their line. Amazing how much influence a ref can have on the quality of a game. One big positive from the rule changes is there doesn't appear to be as much wrestle as there was. I wonder how the changes will affect the way the Storm plays tonight. It will depend a lot on how the ref enforces them.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Couldn't believe Andrew Johns talking up Mitchell's performance last night - his awareness and positioning at FB is dreadful. There is no way that Tedesco, RTS or CNK would have allowed Jake Friend to score that late try so easily. Mitchell appears too easily distracted, hot headed and not fit enough to succeed at FB. The Roosters looked ominous with the return of Cordner and Friend and have recruited really well with the Morris boys. I can see them in the top 4 by season's end. On the negative side I've really had a gut full of the way JWH plays the game with swinging arms and leading with the forearm - he thinks he's a tough man but a lot of what he does are just cheap shots - hope the judiciary puts him away for a while.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Was thinking the same thing. JMoz great catch n pass then kick for Flanagan try and BMoz excellent in shutting down a try. Very good footy brains, rarely make mistakes and can sniff out a try. Parra will have to beat the Chooks and Storm to impress me.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Welcome back Scott - sanity restored.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Settle down precious he said Souths are a decent team he’s not singing their praises. Likely Tom ranks Easts as a good team, a great team even just not necessarily premiership material. Asking a question beginning with the word “so” is just so..... urgh.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I wondered if Klein had forgotten the new rule existed.
Ja ja klazo
Guest
So chooks destroy Souths and your take is that Souths are decent and chooks have a long way to go. Righto!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
The bloke he passed to still had plenty to do to get there but, gee, he gave a pass in the lead up to a try, just like a couple of other blokes did. That still left his team four tries short to catch up with Easts effort – that’s an expensive non championlike contribution don’t-cha-think?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
You know he’s not doing much when fan boys have to make up stuff about his fabulous fabulousness
Howzat
Roar Rookie
Morris twins played very well tonight, especially in defense. Both classy, professional players who balance the Roosters side nicely.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
They look like they are bro's-for-life there after the final whistle, all smiley smiles and those silly shoulder touch, half hearted hug things the young blokes have invented.
Nat
Roar Guru
Thanks Scotty. :thumbup:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I remain open to LM being a great FB. These things take time, sometimes. Young Scotty, you were not a Roar Expert until late into your teens!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Dutski. Good win for the Chooks.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
This bloke appeared barely interested - uninvolved, dropped one catch cold, nowhere to be seen in effective defence against the tries. I venture Souths might have done their money on this non-champion.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Mitchell the Moocher is not, and will not be, a fullback.
Scott Pryde
Expert
:laughing:
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2020 NRL season as the North Queensland Cowboys and Sydney Roosters picked up good wins on Friday evening. Hopefully you enjoyed the call of both games. I'll be back tomorrow with more footy from 3pm (AEDT) as the St George Illawarra Dragons take on the New Zealand Warriors. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?