DAMIEN PLUCKS AND COOKS THE ROOSTERS
SOUTH Sydney have claimed bragging rights over star-studded NRL arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters, downing them 26-14 at Allianz Stadium.
Beaten by their traditional rivals in four of their past five clashes, Souths’ big men monstered the Roosters’ pack last night to put themselves in the top eight.
Damien Cook was again dangerous out of dummyhalf and was easily the Rabbitohs’ best.
The NSW State of Origin aspirant busted through the line a number of times for his 142m to set the tone.
Thomas Burgess and John Sutton were both powerful – the latter scoring a try – as the Bunnies controlled possession in the first hour and racked up almost 200 more metres than their rivals.
After they went to halftime locked up at 8-8, Souths assumed control of the contest in the 43rd minute when Richard Kennar and Dane Gagai folded James Tedesco in half in his own in-goal.
It prompted the ball to spill free, bouncing off the three players before Angus Crichton picked it up and scored.
The loss was the Roosters’ third of the year to put them at 3-3 after six rounds, despite the big-name offseason signings of Cooper Cronk from the Storm and Tedesco from the Tigers.