The Sydney Roosters have overcome a determined Parramatta Eels to seal their second win for the season.
MATCH DETAILS
The Parramatta Eels started off with a bang, scoring within the first ten minutes after consecutive penalties. Their good fortune was short lived with Daniel Alvaro dropping the ball off of the kick off, eventually leading to a James Tedesco try. The Roosters would punctuate the half with a penalty conversion to lead 8-6 heading to the sheds. In the second half, Maika Sivo scored his first ever try to help the Eels take the lead. Mitchell Aubusson was quick to respond after scoring a quick try in the corner. This back and forth contest continued with Maika Sivo scoring his second ever try only six minutes later. As was the course of this game, this would be responded to three minutes later by a try to Victor Radley. Despite their best efforts, this would spell the end of Parramatta, as the Sydney Roosters would go on to score two more tries to Siosiua Taukeaiho and James Tedesco, which confirmed their demise.
The Eels were brave in attack and happily threw the ball around, resisting any attempting at taking the two whenever a penalty was offered. The Roosters were simply too good, with Tedesco particularly destructive. Both coaches will take a lot from this match. Brad Arthur will be happy with his team’s new found confidence, while Trent Robinson will be impressed with the resilience the premiers showed to rebound from everything that was thrown at them.
FOUR POINTERS
James Tedesco Is Unstoppable
Tedesco was unstoppable. He slipped past Ferguson for the first try, set up another, and ended the game in the 73rd minute by scoring the final try. There’s an argument that he is the best fullback in the game.
Jake Friend Injured?
On return, Jake Friend suffered a knock that saw him leave the field. Reports suggest it was a burner, which is a pinch of the nerve that runs from the neck to the arm. This means he should be okay to continue next week. Roosters fans will be hoping nothing more comes of it, as he was solid in defence while on the field.
Maika Sivo’s double
Maika Sivo managed to snare two tries, which made up for a few loose carries. Carrying an unfair comparison to the former Eels number two, Semi Radradra, he made several strides towards earning his stripes.
Parramatta On The Rise
They may have lost, but the Eels have shown enough to suggest they will not be a wooden spoon side this year. For sixty minutes they were on par with the premiers. Fans have every right to be excited about what they may produce going forward.
THE RESULT
Parramatta Eels 18
Tries: Maika Sivo (2), Blake Ferguson
Goals: Mitchell Moses 3/3
Drop Goals:ย N/A
Sydney Roosters 32
Tries: James Tedesco (2), Mitchell Aubusson, Victor Radley, Siosiua Taukeiaho
Goals:ย Latrell Mitchell 4/5
Drop Goals:ย N/A
SQUADS
Parramatta Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 19. Peni Terepo. Interchange: 14. Jaeman Salmon, 15. Tim Mannah, 16. Kane Evans, 18. Oregon Kaufusi.
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 6. Luke Keary, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner,ย 17. Angus Crichton, 14. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 13. Victor Radley, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Poasa Faamasuili, 23. Lachlan Lamb.
