Roosters cash in on Rabbitohs’ reshuffle

WAYNE Bennett’s gamble to move James Roberts to left centre has backfired with South Sydney’s mid-season recruit exposed defensively by the Sydney Roosters last night.

In Roberts return from a two-match suspension for a needless hit on Corey Oates three weeks ago, the Roosters ran in three first-half tries down his unfamiliar left side in the 30-6 loss at the SCG.

Centre Joseph Manu completely got the best of his opposite number and scored the Roosters’ first try when he hit and spun through Roberts in the second minute.

Their second and third tries down that side were far more flashy. After Roberts sprinted in field out of marker, Cooper Cronk sent it back down his edge on the last as the Roosters found Souths short.

The ball went through five sets of hands before Mitchell Aubusson dived over, putting them up 10-0 after 11 minutes.

Manu then got the better of Roberts again for their third down that side. After the Roosters spread the ball to the right, he got around the outside of Roberts and shrugged him off before providing a flick to winger Brett Morris for James Tedesco to score.

Roberts also finished the game with two second-half errors, kicked the ball out dead on the full once and failed to bust a tackle in the loss.

But he wasn’t alone in a sorry performance. The Tricolours’ forward pack steamrolled the Bunnies’ middle, and then turned their momentum into points at will.

Roberts has predominantly been a right centre for the majority of his career, and has played on the left just once in the past two years.

However, Souths have been impressed by the performances of Campbell Graham on the right in the last two rounds, with Roberts out suspended.

It comes after Dane Gagai hurt his hamstring in last week’s win over the Roosters, leaving the gap open for Roberts to return on the left last night.

Manu had last week dominated Gagai early, before being shut down by lock Cameron Murray when he moved to the centre following the hamstring injury.