Round 8 match Review, Sydney Roosters Vs Wests Tigers
A grinding win from the Chooks on a sunny Sunday at Campbelltown was just what the doctor ordered to get this writer through another working week. Great to see our side being able to tough a game out and although the play was unspectacular at times, the commitment shown in defence, especially the scrambling defence was great to see.
The game started off with the Roosters dropping the ball three times in their own half coming out of trouble, inviting the Tigers to score. Fortunately the Tigers chose to take the two points of two occasions, with the second attempt from Benji hitting the upright and bouncing back into the field of play. These two decisions showed some respect for our defence, last year the Tigers would have tapped and run and scored without thinking about it.
The first half was marred with numerous handling errors from both teams. Carney made the most mistakes he has made all season and did not adjust to playing half back straight away (with (Pearce beside him the situation would be different).
The first half was full of tough defence, four man tackles, and punishing hit ups to get us out of the red zone. Jason Ryles had a great game, bending the line numerous times, and running straight over the top of Todd Payten in the first half. FPN made some early errors but kept going all day and scored a vital try just after half time to get us back in the game.
Nate Myles was a machine again today, his work rate is right up there with the best the NRL has to offer, he has really turned his game around and found the form he produced when playing for the dogs, in fact he is playing better now than ever!!! Nate has to be one of the toughest blokes playing the game, he gets belted every week, he beds the line, takes three or four blokes to tackle him, and he gets up and offers a quick play the ball more often than not. How this bloke did not get at least a bench spot for the Kangaroos is a mystery, he will be one of the first Queenslanders picked by big Mal this year.
Also impressive in the first half was JWH (Jared Waerea-Hargreaves), his hit ups were quality and he looks like he is ready to off load at any time, add this to his brutal defence and one can’t help but think this bloke could be the next Adrian Morley, although he has got a bit to do to get to that level yet (I loved Morsley).
Mini looked back at home at fullback and should stay there for the remainder of the year. The sooner Braith gets moved to lock the better as far as I’m concerned. Braith played well today, showed plenty of aggression in the second half and set up the last try with that massive bomb. All of those skills could be utilised at lock plus the fact he is a quality defender.
Although the Tigers had a few chances in the first half the Roosters managed to keep them out with desperate defence, Mini’s hit on Loti was a cracker that put Loti over the sideline. With only five minutes to go on the clock until oranges the Tigers made a break and that freak Chris Heighington ran 20 metres to score, banjo converted this one and we were down by 8 at the break.
According to media reports Brian gave the boys a massive spray at half time, which obviously worked.
Although I am no wrap on Nick Kouparitsas he did play well when he came on, he set up FPN (Frank-Paul Nuuausala) for our first try with a nice move from dummy half and a deft pass to put FPN into the hole. FPN is turning into a try scoring machine. Carney converted and we were back in the hunt.
The second half was almost a mirror image of the first half, numerous handling errors, excellent defence from both sides and some good passages of play that almost lead to scoring opportunities before being snuffed out at the last minute.
It’s never over till it’s over and with five to go Braith put together one of his trademark torpedo bombs up from half way that was perfectly targeted and seemed to stay in the air forever. Beau Ryan never looked comfortable under it, dropping the pill about a metre out from the line, the ball bouncing into the in goal, a flying Mini smashed Ryan and Carney was on the spot to touch down – TRY – TRY – TRY!!!! Carney converted.
The boys had to hang on through a few nervous sets of six and will probably (hopefully) work on how to shut down a game with three to go. The Tigers did have one last chance and ended up finishing one metre out from the Roosters try line when the final siren sounded.
A great win to the Chooks, takes us to 5 and 3 and puts us on 10 points with the Cowboys minus Thurston coming up this week. We should put together back to back wins this weekend and really cement our position on the ladder.
As mentioned our best were Myles and Ryles, with Mini having a cracking game at fullback. Mitchell Aubusson was also a workhorse and seems to have taken Fitzy’s mantel now he has moved on. Every team needs a MAUBS, love watching him give his all every week.
The final score Roosters 12 – Tigers 8
Try scorers – Frank-Paul Nuuausala 43 9 min, Todd Carney 75 min
Goals – Todd Carney – 2 from 2
Roosters Completion Rate 28/41 (68%)
Tackles – Frank-Paul Nuuausala 36, Mitchell Aubusson 34, Jason Ryles 32, Nate Myles 30, Nick Kouparitsas 30
Hit Ups & Runs – Nate Myles 19 (149m), Jason Ryles 18 (113m), Frank-Paul Nuuausala 16 (96m), Anthony Minichiello 17 runs for 132m
Possession – Roosters 53% – Tigers 47%
PS: Labroy has not written a losing match report – lucky charm?? You be the judge
