ROUND 14 MATCH REPORT | Sydney Roosters 6-24 Melbourne Storm

Shannon Meyer reviews Melbourne’s upset ambush of the Roosters at the SCG on Thursday night.

MATCH TIMELINE

MATCH SUMMARY

1st Half

Melbourne came into Thursday night’s clash missing two of their biggest names through injury (Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster), but that didn’t stop them dominating the Roosters for most of the first half, with the Sydney side looking a little off the pace.

For all Melbourne’s injury woes coming into the match, the Roosters were equally hurting after the first half. The first part ended with halfback Lachlan Lam down early with a leg injury, and Mitchell Aubusson (playing in game 301 and one off equalling the Roosters’ games record) with a possible broken arm courtesy of man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona landing on him after a big charge.

Melbourne got on the board after just four minutes: halfback Jahrome Hughes continued his good try scoring form with a darting, weaving run around, through and under several Roosters defenders from 10 metres out, reaching out and just placing the ball on the line. This was after a fourth tackle cross-field kick to Suliasi Vanivalu didn’t quite reap the reward. Although, kicking to that corner was going to be a common theme for the night, with the Roosters winger Christian Tuipulotu giving away a bit of height to the Storm’s Fijian International.

Melbourne edged further ahead in the 14th minute courtesy of a penalty goal, which was a slice of luck for Melbourne; moments earlier Tuipulotu had carved through the middle, but was called back for obstruction.

The Storm were well on top at this point, and they could have scored again through Felise Kaufusi, but the video referee correctly judged there was a Vanivalu knock on.

They scored again in the 20th minute, with Justin Olam finishing off some really slick movement down the Storm’s left-hand side to make it 12-0. The move that led to the try involved both Hughes and Ryley Jacks, who then found Josh Addo-Carr, who found Ryan Papenhuzen on the inside, who then found Olam on the outside. It was slick, good to watch, and the PNG International got a deserved try. A big run from Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started the set the right way from a forced drop out.

Melbourne continued to press the Roosters, who assisted with the occasional error, but were unable to add to their 14-point tally.

Two late errors from the Storm gave the Roosters a sniff of going to the break with a reduced margin – that would have been generous – but they were unable to convert them into points. But they did look OK in attack in that late burst, especially James Tedesco, who seemed to be getting into the match.

As it stood, Melbourne held on for a 14-0 lead, the first time the Roosters have been kept scoreless in any half this season.

2nd Half

Melbourne picked up where they left off in the first half, capitalising on another Roosters error in decent territory with the first try of the second half. PNG star Olam doubled his tally for the night with a charging run close to the line, scoring in the left corner.

The Roosters were on the ropes the very next set, as Hughes split the defence of Isaac Liu and Luke Keary on the halfway line and charged down the right side and found a supporting Kaufusi on the inside, who ran the additional 20 metres to score. With half an hour to go, the Storm were 24-0 up, and going in for the kill.

With just over 20 minutes to go, the Roosters got the closest to scoring as they had all night, but Siosiua Taukeiaho was held up by the Storm’s defence. The Roosters prop then knocked on in the next attacking set, summing up their night. In a further blow, Keary went off injured with just over 15 minutes to play.

Ironically – without either of their starting halves – the Roosters scored their first try of the night not long after Keary left the field, with debutant Tuipulotu scoring on the left wing after fine lead up work from Drew Hutchison. The successful conversion gave the Roosters a small glimmer of hope.

There were no more points on offer for the night, except the two competition points for the Storm, which saw them temporarily leapfrog the Panthers into first place. It was the first time since April 2018 that the Roosters had scored only six points.

GAME HIGHLIGHT

The highlight, for Storm fans at least, was the form of their side without the all-powerful Camerons. Missing the two biggest names, and arguably their best players, they took on the defending premiers and thoroughly outplayed them for most of the contest. The very underrated Ryley Jacks was as solid as ever, and Jahrome Hughes stepped away from the giant shadows of Smith/Munster with an outstanding display. And the injuries gave the promising Nicho Hynes more of a run that he would normally get, and the very patient Brandon Smith an extended run on the field in his natural position.

Kumuls Test star Justin Olam has had a much quieter 2020 than the season before, but Thursday’s game saw him returning to his very best for the Storm, with not only the two tries, but his defence – which was a weapon in itself. The PNG International made some great timely tackles, injecting some pain into the Roosters runners, and also plenty of powerful runs when his team needed them the most.

A major talking point after the match will be the injuries suffered by the Roosters on the night. While the Storm pre-booked their absences for this game, the Roosters had three key players go off the field, further hampering their ability to get back into the game. By final count Lachlan Lam, Luke Keary and Mitchell Aubusson had left the field: all important players that the Roosters will do well to replace.

SQUADS

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 19. Christian Tuipulotu  3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Luke Keary 7. Lachlan Lam 16. Nat Butcher 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 8. Lindsay Collins  14. Drew Hutchison 15. Poasa Faamausili 17. Daniel Fifita.

Melbourne Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 4. Justin Olam 21. Brenko Lee. 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange:  3. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Nicholas Hynes 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui  17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona.