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Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
Is this the greatest club backline in 35 years? Could they possibly rival the wonderfully gifted Parramatta backline of the early 1980s?
That was a question being asked around the grand old SCG after the Sydney Roosters bamboozled New Zealand Warriors by 42-6. It was a win that all but secured the rampaging Roosters a top four finish.
And leading the way was a red hot Roosters backline who posted the opening five tries, seven overall.
This Roosters backline has everything — vision, skill, power, height and speed. They are lethal and chock-full of strike.
Tries went to centre Latrell Mitchell (19th minute), fellow centre Joseph Manu (27), five-eighth Luke Keary (45), fullback James Tedesco (55) winger Brett Morris (58), Mitchell again (68) and then winger Daniel Tupou (78).
The only player who failed to score was their little general, Cooper Cronk.
Has the game seen a more dynamic backline since the Eels offered up Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Steve Ella, Mick Cronin and Eric Grothe in the early to mid-1980s?
Allan Langer, Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock, Chris Johns and Kevin Walters gave Brisbane some powerful backlines during the 1990s but few can match the current day Roosters.
And while the backline was brilliant, the Roosters defence was committed and structured. The Roosters weren’t at full throttle but got the job done efficiently and easily.
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They are heading head first toward back to back titles.
Tedesco scored an embarrassingly easy try when he ran through the middle of Warriors ruck from a penalty tap restart to score. It was under 8s stuff.
LATRELL’S LAST LAUGH
He was rattled after being racially vilified last week but Latrell Mitchell laughed last.
Mitchell maintained his dignity throughout the drama and came out to score two tries, set up another and kick five goals.
He is rebuilding his game nicely heading into the finals after the disappointment of being dumped for State of Origin II.
Mitchell will need to be at his damaging and dynamic best for the Roosters to win successive premierships.
His points haul against the Warriors means Mitchell has outscored his opponents by himself in seven consecutive matches at the SCG: 128-60.
BEALE’S PAIN
Warriors centre Gerard Beale was taken from the field on a Medicab with a patella tendon injury, just below the kneecap. The game was held up for five minutes while New Zealand’ medical staff worked to calm Beale.
Beale will require surgery with his recovery being anywhere from six months to a year.
He was hurt in a legal three-man gang tackle. It is unlikely Beale would play again this season. He was replaced by Kodi Nikorima.
The Warriors’ pain increased midway through the second half when hooker Jazz Tevaga was sin-binned for a late shoulder charge on Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk.
LOST FANS
The Warriors were never going to draw a crowd but having 38,000 empty seats was a poor look for rugby league. Surely these games could be taken the country.
The Daily Telegraph counted no more than 250 people in the Brewongle Stand concourse, a meagre amount given it was a lovely, warm Sunday afternoon game in Sydney.
Playing at the SCG is temporary — and the game may not have attracted anymore at the old Allianz Stadium — but having such a star-studded, elite football team playing in front of so few fans was poor.
The Roosters tried hard to build atmosphere — but it was difficult. A ground announcer yelling “Make some noise” pre-game was almost laughable. One fan contacted The Daily Telegraph to claim his general admission family ticket cost $103. An official crowd of 12,227 was posted.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 42 (L Mitchell 2 M Aubusson L Keary J Manu B Morris J Tedesco D Tupou tries L Mitchell 5 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 6 (R Tuivasa-Sheck try C Harris- Tavita goal) at Sydney Cricket Ground. Referee: Matt Cecchin, David Munro. Crowd: 12,227
Great back line.
Bit of a dig at our supporters.
I live in Newcastle now so don't get to many games. The Roosters have a huge supporter base but we can afford Foxtel so just watch from the comfort of our couch
Is this the greatest club backline in 35 years? Could they possibly rival the wonderfully gifted Parramatta backline of the early 1980s?
That was a question being asked around the grand old SCG after the Sydney Roosters bamboozled New Zealand Warriors by 42-6. It was a win that all but secured the rampaging Roosters a top four finish.
And leading the way was a red hot Roosters backline who posted the opening five tries, seven overall.
This Roosters backline has everything — vision, skill, power, height and speed. They are lethal and chock-full of strike.
Tries went to centre Latrell Mitchell (19th minute), fellow centre Joseph Manu (27), five-eighth Luke Keary (45), fullback James Tedesco (55) winger Brett Morris (58), Mitchell again (68) and then winger Daniel Tupou (78).
The only player who failed to score was their little general, Cooper Cronk.
Has the game seen a more dynamic backline since the Eels offered up Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Steve Ella, Mick Cronin and Eric Grothe in the early to mid-1980s?
Allan Langer, Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock, Chris Johns and Kevin Walters gave Brisbane some powerful backlines during the 1990s but few can match the current day Roosters.
And while the backline was brilliant, the Roosters defence was committed and structured. The Roosters weren’t at full throttle but got the job done efficiently and easily.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
AFL, NRL, Cricket, F1, Supercars, A-League. Have it all. Get Foxtel Sport today
They are heading head first toward back to back titles.
Tedesco scored an embarrassingly easy try when he ran through the middle of Warriors ruck from a penalty tap restart to score. It was under 8s stuff.
LATRELL’S LAST LAUGH
He was rattled after being racially vilified last week but Latrell Mitchell laughed last.
Mitchell maintained his dignity throughout the drama and came out to score two tries, set up another and kick five goals.
He is rebuilding his game nicely heading into the finals after the disappointment of being dumped for State of Origin II.
Mitchell will need to be at his damaging and dynamic best for the Roosters to win successive premierships.
His points haul against the Warriors means Mitchell has outscored his opponents by himself in seven consecutive matches at the SCG: 128-60.
BEALE’S PAIN
Warriors centre Gerard Beale was taken from the field on a Medicab with a patella tendon injury, just below the kneecap. The game was held up for five minutes while New Zealand’ medical staff worked to calm Beale.
Beale will require surgery with his recovery being anywhere from six months to a year.
He was hurt in a legal three-man gang tackle. It is unlikely Beale would play again this season. He was replaced by Kodi Nikorima.
The Warriors’ pain increased midway through the second half when hooker Jazz Tevaga was sin-binned for a late shoulder charge on Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk.
LOST FANS
The Warriors were never going to draw a crowd but having 38,000 empty seats was a poor look for rugby league. Surely these games could be taken the country.
The Daily Telegraph counted no more than 250 people in the Brewongle Stand concourse, a meagre amount given it was a lovely, warm Sunday afternoon game in Sydney.
Playing at the SCG is temporary — and the game may not have attracted anymore at the old Allianz Stadium — but having such a star-studded, elite football team playing in front of so few fans was poor.
The Roosters tried hard to build atmosphere — but it was difficult. A ground announcer yelling “Make some noise” pre-game was almost laughable. One fan contacted The Daily Telegraph to claim his general admission family ticket cost $103. An official crowd of 12,227 was posted.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 42 (L Mitchell 2 M Aubusson L Keary J Manu B Morris J Tedesco D Tupou tries L Mitchell 5 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 6 (R Tuivasa-Sheck try C Harris- Tavita goal) at Sydney Cricket Ground. Referee: Matt Cecchin, David Munro. Crowd: 12,227
Great back line.
Bit of a dig at our supporters.
I live in Newcastle now so don't get to many games. The Roosters have a huge supporter base but we can afford Foxtel so just watch from the comfort of our couch
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