Free-scoring Roosters press Origin case in Raiders rout

Jacob Shteyman | May 25, 2024

The free-scoring Sydney Roosters have bounced back from a frustrating loss to the benchmark Sharks to defeat Canberra 44-16 at GIO Stadium.

The Roosters’ fifth consecutive score of 30 or more lifts them momentarily to fifth and reasserts their credentials as title contenders.

Likewise, if there ever were any question marks about James Tedesco’s position as NSW Blues captain, they were surely put to bed on Saturday afternoon.

The Roosters’ fullback scored two tries and set up three more as his side’s explosive backline tormented the Canberra defence.

It was all too easy, all too often for Tedesco and centres Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii, as Canberra’s edge defence coughed up tackle bust after tackle bust. 

Manu was unstoppable as he registered two tries and two line-breaks, while Suaalii scored a try of his own as he pressed his case for State of Origin selection in his last audition before NSW coach Michael Maguire.

The Roosters stormed out of the blocks, their early attacking intensity unmatched by the Raiders’ defence.

After Victor Radley opened the scoring for the visitors, video referee Adam Gee awarded Sydney a penalty try, with Morgan Smithies deemed to have held back Luke Keary as the Roosters five-eighth steamed on to a Sam Walker grubber kick.

The Raiders clawed back into the game through a Nick Cotric try, before Manu scored his first  to send the Roosters into the break leading 18-6.

Whatever Raiders coach Ricky Stuart told his charges at halftime appeared to have had no effect, with Tedesco extending the lead less than two minutes after the resumption.

Despite tries to Hudson Young and Kaeo Weekes, the Raiders never looked in the contest in the second period.

Roosters back-rower Angus Crichton did his Origin chances no harm, scoring a try of his own, while further tries to Tedesco, Manu and Suaalii extended the difference to 28.

The only concern for Roosters coach Trent Robinson will be whether Radley receives further censure after he was placed on report for a crusher tackle on Jordan Rapana.

The Raiders will be bitterly disappointed to have treated their fans to a second insipid home performance in a row after a 40-0 mauling at the hands of the Sharks, killing the positive momentum from two stirring come-from-behind wins in between.