Roosters regain pluck
RED-FACED to red-hot. This is the most remarkable turnaround in the NRL.
The Sydney Roosters have gone from zeroes to heroes in just 12 months.
A 20-6 win over fierce rivals Souths in the ANZ Stadium rain last night kept the rejuvenated Roosters unbeaten after four rounds.
After four rounds last season, the then battling Roosters were running equal last, having not won a game. It has been some reversal. In fact, the Roosters lost five successive matches to start last season, which was over before it began.
One year on, the resurgent Roosters are firming into premiership favouritism.
Souths have now won two of four games this year.
The Roosters looked professional and competent in the slippery conditions.
They did what they needed to do and not much more and are going to take some beating this season.
Four wins from four games makes you wonder just how they lost their first five last year and missed the finals.
Yes, there was Mitchell Pearce’s Australia Day drama but this side is hot.
Victory was sweet revenge for Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary, who left Souths last year after an off-season dispute with Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe.
Souths scored first in the second half via a try to debutant Sitiveni Moceidreke to claw back into the game before Roosters winger and former NSW star Daniel Tupou crossed out wide – albeit from a dubious pass – to seal the win.
Once Tupou scored, any chance of a Souths revival washed away in the rain.
Late in the first half, Souths star Sam Burgess collided with Roosters forward Isaac Liu and immediately fell to the ground.
Liu’s shoulder crunched into Burgess’s face and the Rabbitohs’ skipper came from the field for a concussion test right on half-time.
He failed the test and did not _return.