The Canberra Raiders have been defeated 44-16 by the Sydney Roosters at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
The Raiders got themselves out to a 10-0 lead early on in the match, but errors and Ill discipline crept back into their game and they were unable to hold out a fast paced Roosters outfit.
The Raiders took advantage of some early field position and earnt a repeat set off the boot of Jack Wighton. The Roosters defended their line well and held out the lethal Raiders attack.
The Roosters then turned the tide and were on the attack when winger Daniel Tupou broke the defence but was held up over the line.
After an arm wrestle opening period between the two sides, Raider’s hooker Josh Hodgson grabbed the first try when he chased through a grubber kick from backrower Elliott Whitehead. The conversion was unsuccessful, giving the Raiders a 4-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes.
The Raiders continued their scoring run through fresh interchange forward Corey Horsburgh, who scored his first NRL try. Josh Hodgson jumped out of dummy half, drew the defence and threw a pinpoint cut-out to put Horsburgh over for their second try of the night. Sam Williams converted to extend the Raiders lead to 10-0.
The Roosters hit back when Joseph Suaalii cleaned up a loose-ball from a Lachlan Lam bomb to put the home-side on the board. The Roosters failed to convert as they trail the Raiders 10-4 with under 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
Rooster’s fullback James Tedesco caught the Canberra defence off-guard when he ran down the short side and set-up a try for five-eighth Lachlan Lam. Interchange sharpshooter Adam Keighran converted to level the score 10-all.
Raiders forward Ryan James was sin-binned for foul play involved with Jared Waerea-Hargraves in the 35th minute.
The Roosters took full advantage of the field position and Joseph Manu provided a one-handed offload for backrower Sitili Tupouniua to take the lead. Keighran converted again to give the Roosters a 16-10 lead at halftime.
The Roosters opened the scoring in the second half from a penalty, granting the Sydney side a great opportunity. They showcased some great hands and winger Daniel Tuopu finished off a great team try to further extend the Roosters lead. Keighran converted to give the home side a 22-10 lead.
Joseph Manu claimed another second half four-pointer for the tri-colours after he successfully one-on-one stripped it from Canberra winger Jordan Rapana and scored. The decision was overturned by the bunker to gift the Roosters their fifth straight try. Keighran converted to extend the lead to 28-10.
The Raiders found themselves on the attack after the Roosters gave away three-straight set restarts. Ryan James took full advantage crashing over for a much-needed try to close the scoring deficit. Williams converted to trail 28-10.
Sydney’s fill-in five-eighth Joseph Manu showed off his athleticism, chasing through his own kick to score a miraculous try. Keighran yet-again converts to force a 34-16 lead.
The Raiders were indiscipline and gave away their 8th penalty for the match. The Roosters found great field position and crossed the line again through Josh Morris who finished off a great grubber kick from James Tedesco. The conversion was unsuccessful, giving the Roosters a 38-16 lead.
The Roosters created some silky play through rookie Joseph Suaalii who created an overlap to send his backrower Tupouniua over for his second try of the night. Keighran converted to extend the lead to 44-16 with under 10 minutes remaining.
The Roosters controlled possession of the final moments of play to finish a dominating 44-16 performance over the Canberra Raiders.
Sydney Roosters 44 (Tries: Suaalii, Lam, Tupouniua 2, Manu 2, Tupou, Morris; Goals: Keighran 6) d Canberra Raiders 16 (Tries: Hodgson, Horsburgh, James; Goals: Williams 2)
