Jack Harbidge reviews the Round 18 clash between Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 2nd | Try Josh Morris (Roosters) | Roosters 4-0 |
| 3rd | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 6-0 |
| 13th | Try Daniel Tupou (Roosters) | Roosters 10-0 |
| 14th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 12-0 |
| 15th | Try Luke Keary (Roosters) | Roosters 16-0 |
| 16th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 18-0 |
| 20th | Try Joseph Manu (Roosters) | Roosters 22-0 |
| 22nd | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 24-0 |
| 26th | Try Enari Tuala (Newcastle) | Roosters 24-4 |
| 27th | Goal Mason Lino (Newcastle) | Roosters 24-6 |
| 33rd | Try Gehamat Shibasaki (Newcastle) | Roosters 24-10 |
| 34th | Goal Mason Lino (Newcastle) | Roosters 24-12 |
| 36th | Try James Tedesco (Roosters) | Roosters 28-12 |
| 37th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 30-12 |
| 42nd | Try Daniel Tupou (Roosters) | Roosters 34-12 |
| 43rd | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 36-12 |
| 69th | Try Luke Keary (Roosters) | Roosters 40-12 |
| 70th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 42-12 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
The Roosters kicked the game off in fine style with a try just two minutes in, with Josh Morris bundling over on the left edge. The Roosters continued in typical style, with Luke Keary putting Daniel Tupou over in the corner.
Keary continued to be involved and extended the Roosters’ lead to take it to a point-a-minute. The Roosters’ domination didn’t stop and Joseph Manu went over to put the Roosters 24-0 up.
Following that, the Knights finally got a foothold in the game and Enari Tuala picked up the pieces of a high bomb and finished in fine style. The Knights continued to press and another kick came to fruition, with Gehamat Shibasaki scoring under the sticks.
The Roosters gathered back control towards the end of the half and James Tedesco got on the end of some fluid attacking rugby to put them 30-12 up at half time.
2nd Half
The second half began in the same fashion as the first half left off, with the Sydney Roosters making opportunities early on: off the back of which Daniel Tupou crossed for his second of the night while Kyle Flanagan converted with ease.
Despite looking like a complete whitewash, Newcastle fronted up and traded sets with the premiers for the best part of the second half, before conceding late on through James Tedesco to eventually lose 42-12.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
The Roosters’ clinical attack was something to behold; the offloads and push round the ball proved a massive standout in the game and ultimately was the biggest difference between the two sides.
SQUADS
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 13. Isaac Liu 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Angus Crichton. Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Lindsay Collins 17. Sonny Bill Williams 19. Mitchell Aubusson.
Newcastle Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Starford To’a 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 10. Jacob Saifiti. Interchange: 13. Herman Ese’ese 16. Josh King 18. Sione Mata’utia 21. Chris Randall.
