Grudge game Taylor made
HE had to wait 83 days but Jason Taylor last night exacted sweet revenge on the club that ruthlessly sacked him.
The Sydney Roosters assistant coach helped guide his new team to a 40-18 win over the Wests Tigers, who dumped him as head coach back on March 20.
It must have been a particularly satisfying victory for Taylor. This was the first time Taylor had coached against his former club, who were belted seven-tries-to-three.
It was also a night when Tigers fullback James Tedesco grabbed a sneak peak at how life will unfold next season when he makes the switch to Bondi on a lucrative four-year deal.
He must be relishing the prospect of playing in such a dazzling Roosters backline.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said taking on his former club would not have been a motivating factor for Taylor.
“I didn’t even ask him this week, to be honest, how he felt. Sometimes the perception of JT is very different to the person you know,” Robinson said.
“I know it’s a good story from the outside but he just got on with his stuff. I don’t know whether he had to deal with it himself.
“But there’s been no difference in JT this week. No more or less emotional. He is really happy in his job and we are really happy with him.
“Behind, I think we were all asking that question but I haven’t asked him this week.”
Senior Roosters player Mitch Aubusson added: “There was no difference in the way JT planned the week.”
The Tigers were dogged at times but you always had the feeling the Roosters’ class would eventually shine through. And it did.
The visitors – despite some sloppy and scrappy periods – posting four tries in a lopsided second half.
“We shot ourselves in the foot in the second half,” Wests coach Ivan Cleary said.
“Simple errors and couldn’t build any pressure. If you give that side too much ball, under no pressure, the rest follows. A lot of errors were early in the tackle count.
“For a few guys out there today, the second half got a bit hard. Just concentration.”
Roosters skipper Jake Friend came from the field bloodied and concussed in just the fourth minute and did not return, while co-captain Boyd Cordner withdrew before the match. But it mattered little.
Despite the Tigers striking first through new signing Tui Lolohea, two quick tries to the Roosters inside the opening 12 minutes established dominance and momentum.