Matt Pritchard reviews the Sydney Roosters’ comprehensive victory over the Canberra Raiders in Gosford. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Roosters 44
Tries: Joseph Suaalii (29), Lachlan Lam (31), Sitili Tupouniua (35, 69), Daniel Tupou (45), Joseph Manu (49, 55), Josh Morris (60).
Goals: Adam Keighran (33, 36, 46, 50, 57, 71).
Raiders 16
Tries: Josh Hodgson (18), Corey Horsburgh (25), Ryan James (52).
Goals: Sam Williams (27, 54).
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2 pts – Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)
1 pt – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
The Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders travelled to Central Coast Stadium with both sides looking to return to the winners list after losses to the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm respectively.
Sam Walker was relegated to 18th Man with Joseph Manu moving into the halves for the Roosters. Ricky Stuart started with Josh Hodgson, relegating Tom Starling to the bench.
It was the Roosters who created the first scoring opportunity after seven minutes when James Tedesco made a clean break downfield before play broke down.
Nat Butcher was placed on report for a crusher tackle in the 17th minute.
Canberra were first to post points after 18 minutes with Elliott Whitehead’s neat kick chased through by Hodgson to score. In the scoring play Tedesco left the field with a hip problem, only to return to the game soon after. Sam Williams missed the conversion.
The Roosters were denied a four pointer with the Bunker ruling Jared Waerea-Hargreaves obstructed Hodgson in the lead-up to Nat Butcher crossing. In the next set, Canberra extended their lead with Hodgson’s pass finding Corey Horsburgh who barged over from close range for his first NRL try. Williams converted and the Raiders led by 10 after 28 minutes.
On the half-hour the much-hyped Joseph Suaalii scored his first try in the top grade after Caleb Aekins was unable to diffuse Lachlan Lam’s cross-field kick. Adam Keighran’s conversion hit the uprights. At this point the game shifted towards the Roosters.
They followed this up with their second try in the set from the restart. Tedesco threw a dummy in breaking through the defence and offloaded to Josh Morris, before finding Lam back inside to score. Scores were level with Keighran’s conversion.
A dramatic incident five minutes before half-time saw Ryan James sent to the sin-bin for what appeared to be the use of knees on Warea-Hargreaves after an offload.
The Roosters made the most of a 12-man Raiders side with Manu’s flick pass to Sitili Tupouniua leading to their third try in six minutes. Keighran converted to make it 16-10, which was the half-time score.
HALF-TIME: Sydney Roosters 16 Canberra Raiders 10
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
In the opening set of the second half Corey Harawira-Naera made a break down the right hand side with the final pass finding a Roosters player.
Jordan Rapana was placed on report for a shoulder charge on Manu in the 44th minute.
Soon after the Roosters went further ahead after finding an overlap to the right which saw Daniel Tupou score. Keighran’s conversion from the sideline was good.
Further pain was inflicted on the Raiders when Manu scored after he stole the ball from Rapana in following through a kick through from Lam close to the line, with the Bunker clearing the grounding. Keighran’s conversion saw the Roosters lead 28-10 after 50 minutes.
Two minutes later, James kept the Raiders in the game, scoring a converted try from close range after the Roosters conceded three straight set restarts.
The reply was swift from the Roosters when Manu continued his good night out, leaping above Aekins in a kick contest to score. Keighran’s conversion was good.
Just after the hour the Roosters were in for their seventh try of the night (in the space of 31 minutes) after Tedesco’s kick behind the defensive line saw Morris cross.
A touch of brilliant skill from Suaalii opened space as he brushed past Sebastian Kris, before an offload to Tupouniua for his second. Keighran converted, with the Roosters leading 44-16 with eight minutes to go.
Kris was denied a try close to full-time by the Bunker after he grounded the ball touch in-goal.
The Sydney Roosters are assured outright fifth on the ladder going into their bye next week, while Ricky Stuart has more headaches as the Raiders continue to freefall, dropping into 12th behind the Wests Tigers.
FULL-TIME: Sydney Roosters 44 Canberra Raiders 16
Injuries
Isaac Liu (Roosters) – eye, failed HIA
Corey Horsburgh (Raiders) – dislocated wrist
Match Review Committee
Ryan James (Raiders) – Grade 2 Contrary Conduct – Early Guilty Plea 1 match ban, Guilty at Judiciary 2 match ban.
Jordan Rapana (Raiders) – Grade 1 High Tackle Careless – Early Guilty Plea $1,700 fine, Guilty at Judiciary $2,250 fine.
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