Jack Harbidge reviews the round one clash between Sydney Roosters and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at the Sydney Cricket Ground….. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Roosters 46
Tries: James Tedesco (2, 25, 52), Sitili Tupouiniua (16), Brett Morris (31, 39, 62), Angus Crichton (70), Josh Morris (78)
Goals: Siosiua Taukeiaho (18, 26, 72, 79), Adam Keighran (40)
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2 pts – Brett Morris (Sydney Rooster)
1 pt – Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
Despite the mammoth final margin, the initial exchanges were as tight as possible, with Manly gaining the ascendancy following the concession of a Tedesco try just two minutes in. The Sea Eagles made good use of Roosters errors following the try and made their pressure pay nine minutes in, with Reuben Garrick going over off the back of a good shape down the left edge.
Unfortunately, that proved to be one of very few highlights for the Manly left edge for the remainder of the first half. Following their try, Manly still looked to have the upper hand of the arm wrestle, but an error from Daly Cherry-Evans close to the line gifted the Roosters a 20 metre tap and consequently a shot at the Manly line.
From then on, the momentum was firmly with the Roosters and Sitili Tupouniua crossed to put his side in the lead with 16 minutes gone. Tedesco built on the lead with fine footwork at the line 10 minutes later, before Brett Morris produced a fine finish of his own off the back of good shape down the Roosters’ right edge.
Manly battled back and got to the Roosters’ red zone towards the back end of the half, but key errors let them down and released any pressure they had built, only for Brett Morris to score just before the half time hooter to put the Roosters 22 points ahead after an Adam Keighran conversion.
HALF-TIME: Sydney Roosters 26 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 4
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The second half was somewhat more subdued despite the Roosters scoring another 20 points, alongside a disallowed try part way through the half. James Tedesco kicked off the scoring in the second stanza to grab his hat-trick in just over 50 minutes; while Manly continued to press for points of their own, an errant Cherry-Evans pass found the hands of Brett Morris for him to race away for an 80 metre try to seal a hat-trick.
The break-away all but broke what spirit was left in the Manly ranks and the Roosters continued to pile on the run metres and pressure with their free-flowing attacking rugby. The playmaking came to a head once more just 10 minutes from time, with Angus Crichton crossing off the back of a deft short ball from Siosiua Taukeiaho.
The points didn’t stop there, however, and Josh Morris got on the board with a try just before full-time to cap off a great showing for the Sydney Roosters, and a day to forget for Manly.
FULL-TIME: Sydney Roosters 46 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 4
Injuries
Jake Friend (Roosters) – concussion – to be monitored.
Adam Keighran (Roosters) – dislocated wrist – to be monitored.
Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles) – cork – to be monitored.
Match Review Committee
Jake Friend (Roosters) – Grade 1 Contrary Conduct – Early Guilty Plea taken – $1350 fine.
Angus Crichton (Roosters) – Grade 1 Crusher Tackle – Early Guilty Plea taken – 1 match ban.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters) – Grade 1 Contrary Conduct – Early Guilty Plea taken – $1600 fine.
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