The South Sydney Rabbitohs have been defeated by the Sydney Roosters in a close 12-14 encounter in their Round 18 clash tonight (Friday) at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters win sees their side take home the Ron Coote Cup.
Head Coach Michael Maguire named an unchanged side heading into the Round 18 clash with high hopes of a similar performance to the previous week.
The start of the game was rocky for the Rabbitohs with the Roosters side putting pressure on South Sydney’s defence. But the Rabbitohs returned the game play mirroring the Roosters efforts.
The game labelled as one with fierce rivalry started to show on the field with both sides displaying exertions of aggression and passion.
With 20 minutes flying off the clock, the Roosters were the first to add points when Joseph Manu planted the ball down over the try line from a short but well-placed Jake Friend grubber. Fullback Michael Gordon converted and the Roosters led six points to zero. Despite falling behind, the efforts of the Rabbitohs didn’t go unnoticed, holding a 100% completion rate and possession to an even 50/50.
Yet the odds would not go in favour of the Rabbitohs once again when they gave away a penalty in front of goals for hands in the ruck. Gordon easily converted and extended their lead eight points to zero.
With minutes remaining in the first half, an impressive intercept by Adam Reynolds saw him fly down the field and run the ball 60 metres but an unlucky loose carry saw the Roosters gain back the possession and the Rabbitohs would run into the sheds trailing by eight points.
The second half saw the Rabbitohs make it closer to the oppositions try line and in the 49th minute Robbie Farah scooped up the ball from dummy half and placed it down over the try line. Reynolds conversion slotted straight through the uprights and the Rabbitohs were on the board six points to the Roosters eight.
The Rabbitohs converted try gave them some momentum and their tempo began to lift revving up the annoyance to the home crowd.
As the aggression amped up, the home side delivered to their crowd scoring their second try under the posts through Aidan Guerra. A successful conversion kept the Rabbitohs to a six to 14 point difference.
Crichton showed his skills in footwork dodging defenders as he made his way across the field to the left to pass off the ball to Bryson Goodwin who he too, stepped the defenders and slid over the try line to add four points. Reynolds kick was a green light and the Rabbitohs narrowed in on the Roosters lead.
Once again the extra points had an affect on the boys in the Red and Green, and they continued to apply pressure to the Roosters defence.
But the Roosters proved why they are 4th on the ladder and kept the Rabbitohs away from scoring any further points. The game would finish up with a close 12 to 14 points on the scoreboard with the Roosters defending their position in the lead.
Sydney Roosters 14 (Joseph Manu, Aidan Guerra tries; Michael Gordon 3 goals)
Defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 (Robbie Farah, Bryson Goodwin tries; Adam Reynolds 2 goals)
