The 2019 season is now over for the Warriors as the Roosters continue their quest for back-to-back premierships.
MATCH DETAILS
A home final looms for the Sydney Roosters after yet another convincing win keeps them in outright second on the ladder. The Roosters have now won five games on the trot as they warm up just in time for finals.
The Warriors’ finals hopes have diminished as Stephen Kearney’s men were not able to compete for 80 minutes against a very good Roosters side. However, the Warriors did manage to compete in the first half and only trailed by six points at half time. An injury to Gerard Beale in the opening half would require the Warriors to reshuffle their line-up which the Roosters would go onto exploit in the second half. The Roosters found their points in the first half by attacking the Warriors’ right edge defence with both Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu scoring tries.
The Roosters turned it on in the second half, piling on 30 points and dismantling the Warriors’ edge defence as the home side’s outside backs enjoyed a day out. Tries scored by James Tedesco and Mitchell Aubusson highlighted the Warriors’ edge defence troubles. Tedesco broke through the line next to the A defender on the right edge with extreme ease, whilst Aubusson scored a great solo try against the Warriors’ left edge which lacked any sort of urgency from the away team’s defenders. The Warriors will be ready to forget this season after failing to qualify for the finals despite being in the top eight last season.
FOUR POINTERS
The Roosters Love the SCG
The Roosters won their seventh game at the SCG this season and have only lost once at the prestigious ground. The Roosters have averaged 38 points a game at the SCG and only conceded on average 11 points per game. It’s safe to say the Roosters have enjoyed playing there.
The Battle of the Forwards
The Warriors’ forwards struggled to gain metres today with only Agnatius Paasi and Leeson Ah Mau running for more than 100 metres and, as a forward pack, only averaged 8 metres per run. Compare this to the Roosters, who had 4 forwards surpass the 100 metre mark and, as a pack, averaged 9 metres per run.
Luke Keary Steals the Show
Luke Keary didn’t come away with a try assist, and may not have been lighting up the stat sheet, but each week he looks better and better with his ball-playing ability. The five-eighth is playing with extreme confidence and has been terrorising the opposition recently by taking the ball right to the line before making the decision of putting someone through on the inside instead of playing it through the hands.
Is James Tedesco the Best Player in the World?
James Tedesco is having the best season of his career and put on another clinic. The fullback ran for 256 metres, including 2 line breaks and a try. The New South Welshman also broke eight tackles as he continues to consistently deliver.
THE RESULT
Sydney Roosters 42
Tries: Latrell Mitchell (2), Joseph Manu, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Mitchell Aubusson, Daniel Tupou
Goals: Mitchell 5/9
Drop Goals: n/a
New Zealand Warriors 6
Tries: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Goals: Chanel Harris-Tavita 1/1
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk (c) 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Poasa Faamausili 17. Sitili Tupouniua.
New Zealand Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2. Adam Pompey 3. Peta Hiku 4. Gerard Beale 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Lachlan Burr. Interchange: 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Ligi Sao 18. Kodi Nikorima.
