2025 NSW Cup Thread

[Vasco]

Good to see Flegg won also.

[Vasco]

Did Ethan Roberts play?

He played in Flegg and scored a try.

[Rooster_6]

Round 10 Jersey Flegg Sydney Roosters Vs Manly Sea Eagles

Sydney Roosters 24 defeat Manly Sea Eagles 10

Was a scrappy affair throughout but the Roosters always looked the better side with more potency in attack and controlled the bulk of field position. First Roosters try was a crash over from Visconti after a quick play the ball from Itula Seve, second try a brilliant offload from Ethan Roberts to set up his winger Maguire. Roosters went in at half time 12-6 up after Manly were given a late penalty goal and 2 players sin binned (1 from each side) for a push and shove (nothing in it, thought the ref overreacted) given that the half time siren had gone and both sides were off to the sheds anyway.

Second half Roosters scored another 2 tries and never really looked in doubt, first was a try to Maguire who was set up by a backline play and pass from Roberts to Maguire again. Second try some beautiful play between Ethan Roberts and Malloy down the left edge including a really nice flick pass from Malloy.


Best on Ground

3 - Ethan Roberts - Best game I've seen from him in senior footy, really strong carries, good workrate, set up one try with a brilliant offload, set up another as part of a backline shift and capped off a really good performance with a try in support at the end of the game. He was really aggressive all game which was really good to see, got sin binned at half time but I thought that was harsh so doesn't bring down his performance.

2 - Fanafou Seve - Played the first 30minutes straight which is the biggest stint he's had so far this year and then came on at the back end of the game for another 10-15 minute stint. He's been building nicely to this performance, was very heavily involved taking a carry nearly every set and was super aggressive in defence early in the game. Seemed to go to another level when his brother came onto the field and they were playing together. A scary proposition, hard to tell them apart from a distance, Fanafou the right hand carry, Itula a left hand carry if you're ever watching them play together.

1 - William Malloy - Was really strong defensively all game, helped out in yardage and really contributed to the left edge points. One with a really nice flick pass to Ethan Roberts after making a linebreak. Haven't seen much of Malloy but he was a highly rated outside back we signed from the Tigers this year, he captained the side today.


Other Thoughts
The following players stepped up from SG Ball;
- Jax Allen (Dummy Half) - Mixed bag, really nice face ball cut out for a linebreak, scooted well but also took a couple of poor options in attack and two kicks he'd want back. Defence was very good as usual, got a good 70min hit out.
- Itula Seve (Front Row) - He was great, handled the step up in physicality with ease, first hitup he got through the line, quick play the ball that lead to our first try of the game. Every hit up was strong and I really liked his workrate in defence. Got 15-20minutes either side of half time for roughly a 35minute hitout.
- Phillip Lavakeiaho (Front Row) - Similar to Seve he handled the step up in physicality with ease, was still extremely dominant carrying the ball. I thought very unlucky not to have a try. Looked a bit gassed in defence throughout moments of the game.
- All 3 are part of the Roosters academy, Seve contracted until 2028, Allen until 2027 & Lavakeiaho until end of 2026.
- Jackson Pennell and Wetherill-Stacey are the biggest regens of Jacob Preston & Latrell Mitchell you'll ever see, I've had to do multiple double takes this year.

[Chook2]

Round 10 Manly Sea Eagles Vs Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters 36 defeat Manly Sea Eagles 20

Good turn out in Tamworth for the NSWRL magic round. It was a real game of two halves, first 15 minutes or so was a really high quality back and forth contest then the Roosters started to give away some penalties, made some errors and the Sea Eagles put on some points scoring 3 tries in a 15minu period. We got one back with less than a minute on the clock before half time with Kyron Fekitoa just burning his centre for speed and then having enough strength to bump off the last ditch defenders to make it 14-6 to Manly heading into half time.

Second half we pretty much dominated from minute 40 to 80, scoring six tries to Manly's one. Ethan King went over first in the second half, nice left foot step and acceleration to get us back into it, then Chad Townsend and Ethan King combined to set up Ben Johnson where we stripped them for numbers, Max McCathie went over next after a linebreak down the right, followed by a kick that Manly couldn't defuse and McCathie pounced on, Dominic Young score a good try, having to take a cut out pass from Townsend that was almost a metre above his head (probably the only player on the field who could've reached it), then Max Mcathie score another try after a nice little chip kick from Elliott found Young, who passed in back on the inside to McCathie & last try Makatoa just barged over from close range in the dying seconds of the game.

Was great to see the kids swarm the field after the full time siren with What's my scene blaring over the speakers, lots of Roosters jerseys around and Dom Young was definitely the favourite getting swarmed for selfies and signatures.

Best on Ground

3 - Chad Townsend - His kicking game was brilliant all day, bombs were landing inside the 10 pretty much every time and even his long kicking game seemed to have some increased depth on it. He organised the team really well and played some role in helping set up 5 out of the 7 tries scored.

2 - Ethan King - Just super busy again, scored a great try himself to get us back in it at 14-12 but didn't put a foot wrong in his kick defusal, yardage carries as always were strong and he was a constant threat when we were attacking Manly's line. Also came up with a try assist for Ben Johnson's try. I would describe his style as probably most similar to Will Kennedy, he's got great acceleration, gets involved heavily in good ball sets and loves to take the last play carry in yardage before the last tackle to earn his side a quick play the ball. Will be interesting to see how he goes should Teddy get called up to SOO but great to see him in good form.

1 - Taylor Losalu - I thought he was the most dominant forward for us, consistently bending the line on every carry, worked hard in defence and played good minutes. Started with a 30min stint and then did a 20min stint in the second half. No doubt just building that endurance and getting minutes in the bank is what he needs to be doing to push for a first grade spot because his quality of work has never been an issue.

Other Thoughts
- Tom Rodwell strong and eager as ever to eat up as many metres as possible.
- Fair play to Dominic Young given everything that is going on he showed up and looked committed to the cause, was a very typical Dom Young performance with some moments of brilliance coupled with some cross field running and some rash errors.
- I liked what I saw from Xavier Va'a, got a 15min stint in the first half and then a 20min stint in the second half but he was very strong in defence, good movement and then had some really good carries especially in his second stint.
- Aston Warwick the second rower has impressed me every time I've seen him, not necessarily because of outstanding quality that he necessarily showed but just a very well rounded game and strong work ethic. He was part of the Panthers SG Ball side who beat us a few years back so I'm really interesting to see how he develops.
- I though Reece Foley played a big part in our second half come back, his service was excellent and he really started to get the ruck turning in our favour and helped build the momentum. Interested to see how he continues to develop in this role, he was a highly rated half who we signed from Nth Qld last year.

Thanks for the write up
I see again we started slow like last week down 14 to 0 and 14-6 at half time before firing in the 2nd half

great to see some form from younger and senior guys

also great that lasalu and Vaa are starting to hit minutes and form as we are searching for that 4th front rower

how was benniah Ioelu at 9? Seemed to be in the 17 in the trials before injuries hurt the start of his season

also interesting to see if guys like rodwell - Seve get a crack at nsw cup at some stage or stay in 21s

plenty of guys still to come back with Vaa, pauga, moriaty plus sandon or savala, steep and Foketi if we get more guys back soon

[Chook2]

Round 10 Jersey Flegg Sydney Roosters Vs Manly Sea Eagles

Sydney Roosters 24 defeat Manly Sea Eagles 10

Was a scrappy affair throughout but the Roosters always looked the better side with more potency in attack and controlled the bulk of field position. First Roosters try was a crash over from Visconti after a quick play the ball from Itula Seve, second try a brilliant offload from Ethan Roberts to set up his winger Maguire. Roosters went in at half time 12-6 up after Manly were given a late penalty goal and 2 players sin binned (1 from each side) for a push and shove (nothing in it, thought the ref overreacted) given that the half time siren had gone and both sides were off to the sheds anyway.

Second half Roosters scored another 2 tries and never really looked in doubt, first was a try to Maguire who was set up by a backline play and pass from Roberts to Maguire again. Second try some beautiful play between Ethan Roberts and Malloy down the left edge including a really nice flick pass from Malloy.


Best on Ground

3 - Ethan Roberts - Best game I've seen from him in senior footy, really strong carries, good workrate, set up one try with a brilliant offload, set up another as part of a backline shift and capped off a really good performance with a try in support at the end of the game. He was really aggressive all game which was really good to see, got sin binned at half time but I thought that was harsh so doesn't bring down his performance.

2 - Fanafou Seve - Played the first 30minutes straight which is the biggest stint he's had so far this year and then came on at the back end of the game for another 10-15 minute stint. He's been building nicely to this performance, was very heavily involved taking a carry nearly every set and was super aggressive in defence early in the game. Seemed to go to another level when his brother came onto the field and they were playing together. A scary proposition, hard to tell them apart from a distance, Fanafou the right hand carry, Itula a left hand carry if you're ever watching them play together.

1 - William Malloy - Was really strong defensively all game, helped out in yardage and really contributed to the left edge points. One with a really nice flick pass to Ethan Roberts after making a linebreak. Haven't seen much of Malloy but he was a highly rated outside back we signed from the Tigers this year, he captained the side today.


Other Thoughts
The following players stepped up from SG Ball;
- Jax Allen (Dummy Half) - Mixed bag, really nice face ball cut out for a linebreak, scooted well but also took a couple of poor options in attack and two kicks he'd want back. Defence was very good as usual, got a good 70min hit out.
- Itula Seve (Front Row) - He was great, handled the step up in physicality with ease, first hitup he got through the line, quick play the ball that lead to our first try of the game. Every hit up was strong and I really liked his workrate in defence. Got 15-20minutes either side of half time for roughly a 35minute hitout.
- Phillip Lavakeiaho (Front Row) - Similar to Seve he handled the step up in physicality with ease, was still extremely dominant carrying the ball. I thought very unlucky not to have a try. Looked a bit gassed in defence throughout moments of the game.
- All 3 are part of the Roosters academy, Seve contracted until 2028, Allen until 2027 & Lavakeiaho until end of 2026.
- Jackson Pennell and Wetherill-Stacey are the biggest regens of Jacob Preston & Latrell Mitchell you'll ever see, I've had to do multiple double takes this year.

Great to see guys from nsw stepping into the age grades plus which would have helped Roberts
also the 19s guys stepping up to 21s
Id say rodwell might not be far off coming up to this next?

[Rooster_6]

Round 10 NSW CUP Sydney Roosters Vs New Zealand Warriros

New Zealand Warrriors 24 defeat Sydney Roosters 14

Roosters up against the Warriors who are top of the table in the NSW Cup and smashed the Roosters 46-12 last time they met in Round 3 so a real tough game. Roosters in a much stronger position this time round with a lot more players who have played first grade or on the cusp of first grade and it showed in their defence, outside of a 5minute period just after half time where they leaked two tries they defended pretty strongly all game. Thought they got some tough calls from the refs and sideline officials, a phantom crusher tackle that just never happened, a forward pass out of dummy half called that you never see called and ofcourse none of the other 30 in the game got called and then before the Warriors 4th try they were awarded a goal line drop out after a Warriors player offloaded a ball straight into a Roosters players head and it went dead ruled that he played at it, one of the most bemusing calls I've seen this year and from an experienced ref like Ziggy no less. All in all though I thought Warriors just offered more in attack than we did.

Best on Ground

3 - Salesi Foketi - Played first 25minutes on an edge (might be a hint towards selection this week), then another 25mins at lock forward and then played the last 15minutes at 5/8. He looked the Roosters most likely to create something or break the line all game, great footwork, strong intent to carry the ball with aggression on every carry and created the space for the first try with some really nice ball playing where went into the line and held the play up long enough to suck some Warriors players in to give Young the space required to score. And typically some good strong hits as well.

2 - Xavier Va'a - Thought his carries were really good, made good post contact metres and was really aggressive in contact. Played roughly two 20minute stints and I really liked his movement in defence. Still seems to be a little bit short of match fitness but there's no doubt in my mind he will handle the physicality of NRL, I just don't know how many minutes we can realistically expect to get out of him.

1 - Ethan King - There weren't a lot of standouts today but sometimes it's easy to overlook what King gets through in a game and just how safe he is at the back. There was one grubber close to the line where there was probably 10 players or so around it, he just came sliding in, picked it up in one motion, got to his feet and ran another 10 metres. There's no doubting the kid has a bit of class and a huge workrate to go with it. I wonder if Robinson will consider him as a bench utility this week given how short we are on troops, he was 18th man after all on Friday.

Other Thoughts
- Can't say either Ioelu or Moriaty put their hand up for first grade next week, neither had horrendous games but both struggled to have an impact on the game. I think Moriaty's service is better but Ioelu offers a little more as a running threat out of dummy half.
- Jake Elliot seemed to really struggle to get into the game until Chad Townsend went of in the 67th minute then all of a sudden he just came alive, scored a great solo try with what felt like his first genuine run of the game and started to open up some more space for us with his passing game.
- No doubt that X Va'a, Foketi, Losalu & Makatoa are the next best forwards - I expect we'll see all 4 in first grade next week, no one else really stood out.
- Dom Young had another solid game, defused all his kicks, finished his try well and even seemed to be carrying with a little more intent in yardage.

[Waylander]

Thanks for the effort to do these write ups R6, it is appreciated.

[Mickie Lane]

Round 10 NSW CUP Sydney Roosters Vs New Zealand Warriros

New Zealand Warrriors 24 defeat Sydney Roosters 14

Roosters up against the Warriors who are top of the table in the NSW Cup and smashed the Roosters 46-12 last time they met in Round 3 so a real tough game. Roosters in a much stronger position this time round with a lot more players who have played first grade or on the cusp of first grade and it showed in their defence, outside of a 5minute period just after half time where they leaked two tries they defended pretty strongly all game. Thought they got some tough calls from the refs and sideline officials, a phantom crusher tackle that just never happened, a forward pass out of dummy half called that you never see called and ofcourse none of the other 30 in the game got called and then before the Warriors 4th try they were awarded a goal line drop out after a Warriors player offloaded a ball straight into a Roosters players head and it went dead ruled that he played at it, one of the most bemusing calls I've seen this year and from an experienced ref like Ziggy no less. All in all though I thought Warriors just offered more in attack than we did.

Best on Ground

3 - Salesi Foketi - Played first 25minutes on an edge (might be a hint towards selection this week), then another 25mins at lock forward and then played the last 15minutes at 5/8. He looked the Roosters most likely to create something or break the line all game, great footwork, strong intent to carry the ball with aggression on every carry and created the space for the first try with some really nice ball playing where went into the line and held the play up long enough to suck some Warriors players in to give Young the space required to score. And typically some good strong hits as well.

2 - Xavier Va'a - Thought his carries were really good, made good post contact metres and was really aggressive in contact. Played roughly two 20minute stints and I really liked his movement in defence. Still seems to be a little bit short of match fitness but there's no doubt in my mind he will handle the physicality of NRL, I just don't know how many minutes we can realistically expect to get out of him.

1 - Ethan King - There weren't a lot of standouts today but sometimes it's easy to overlook what King gets through in a game and just how safe he is at the back. There was one grubber close to the line where there was probably 10 players or so around it, he just came sliding in, picked it up in one motion, got to his feet and ran another 10 metres. There's no doubting the kid has a bit of class and a huge workrate to go with it. I wonder if Robinson will consider him as a bench utility this week given how short we are on troops, he was 18th man after all on Friday.

Other Thoughts
- Can't say either Ioelu or Moriaty put their hand up for first grade next week, neither had horrendous games but both struggled to have an impact on the game. I think Moriaty's service is better but Ioelu offers a little more as a running threat out of dummy half.
- Jake Elliot seemed to really struggle to get into the game until Chad Townsend went of in the 67th minute then all of a sudden he just came alive, scored a great solo try with what felt like his first genuine run of the game and started to open up some more space for us with his passing game.
- No doubt that X Va'a, Foketi, Losalu & Makatoa are the next best forwards - I expect we'll see all 4 in first grade next week, no one else really stood out.
- Dom Young had another solid game, defused all his kicks, finished his try well and even seemed to be carrying with a little more intent in yardage.

Good write up 6
Where was the game played & what time was it on?

[SamKerrSimp]

I'm excited at the prospect of seeing Xavier Va'a play in first grade soon, hopefully this week.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Thanks R6. I'm pleased to hear Xavier is going well. We need him to kick on.

[Rooster_6]

Good write up 6
Where was the game played & what time was it on?

At Wenty park, around 1pm.

[RoosterBooster]

Massive that Toby Rodwell has been named at HB for NSW Cup, jumping past Flegg.

2027 Walker/ Rodwell half’s partnership

[Rooster_6]

Massive that Toby Rodwell has been named at HB for NSW Cup, jumping past Flegg.

2027 Walker/ Rodwell half’s partnership

Chad Townsend went off with an injury around the 67th minute, looked like he did a shoulder but there wasn’t much commentary on it and was hard to tell exactly what he did so he could be out for a few weeks. Will be super interesting to see what happens when he returns from injury.

Good to see De La Salle Va’a back in the colours too, was talk he might not return this season.

[Rooster90]

Chad Townsend went off with an injury around the 67th minute, looked like he did a shoulder but there wasn’t much commentary on it and was hard to tell exactly what he did so he could be out for a few weeks. Will be super interesting to see what happens when he returns from injury.

Good to see De La Salle Va’a back in the colours too, was talk he might not return this season.

Interesting that Itula Seve has been named for Cup this week and not his older brother, i will be at the game this weekend so will be good to watch some of these kids live for the first time this year.

[Rooster_6]

Interesting that Itula Seve has been named for Cup this week and not his older brother, i will be at the game this weekend so will be good to watch some of these kids live for the first time this year.

He was put on report for a tackle right at the beginning of the game, I didn't think much of it at the time. But may be suspended. It's always so hard to get any information on suspensions out of the NSWRL competitions though.