Roosters down Rabbitohs but win proves costly

Match snapshot

• The match started in dramatic fashion when Cameron Murray came reeling out of just the second tackle of the game after collecting the hip of Roosters winger Kevin Naiqama and was taken from the field.
• Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton created history when he scored the first NRL try at the new Allianz Stadium in the sixth minute after charging onto a short ball from Luke Keary.

• Crichton then turned provider for the next try when he again split the defence and drew Latrell Mitchell before sending Roosters captain James Tedesco over to score in the 20th minute.
• However, the Rabbitohs hit back just minutes later after Tedesco put down a bomb and Mitchell took advantage to lay on a stunning try for interchange hooker Peter Mamouzelos.

• A piece of individual brilliance by Roosters halfback Sam Walker, who grubered behind the Rabbitohs defence and won the race for the ball to score in the 32nd minute, ensured the home side a 20-6 halftime lead.
• Second-rower Egan Butcher then put the Roosters further ahead just three minutes into the second half when he squeezed between Lachlan Ilias and Keaon Koloamatagi to score off a Keary pass. 

• However, Rabbitohs winger Taane Milne gave the club's supporters hope when he tip-toed down the touchline to score in the 50th minute and the Fiji international got a second try 10 minutes before fulltime.
• Souths lost Mitchell to the sinbin for a professional foul but the Rabbitohs scored while a man down after Cody Walker swooped on a dropped ball by Tedesco and raced away before Milne scored on the next tackle. 

Play of the game

After adjusting to the loss of captain Cameron Murray in the opening minute the Rabbitohs were fighting their way back into the game after a 24th minute Peter Mamouzelos try. However, halfback Sam Walker regained momentum for the Roosters with a brilliant individual try and the home side were never really threatened again.

What they said

"I thought we were really good in the first half, and clear how we wanted to play, executed well, in a good space and then I thought with a few of the changes we just lost our way. We didn't execute well enough when we had field position and it just ended up being a stop-start game in that second half so there are some improvements from us to be had next week. That's all in the past, you create your future and we will create our week next week and how we want to play," - Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

“We started out on this journey a long time ago and we want to finish it the best possible way. Motivation is never going to be a problem in the finals. They would be sitting there thinking they’ve got one up on us and we would be thinking we came back in the second half so at the end of the day none of it is going to mean anything next week. We are going to have to go there and play the game next week and that is going to determine who goes through. We have just got to be better at the start, it’s as simple as that. We have got to be cleaner with the ball and not give the penalties away and we won’t be in our own end the whole time," - Rabbitohs assistant coach Ben Hornby.

What's next 

The Roosters and Rabbitohs will meet again next weekend at Allianz Stadium and both teams will have players racing the clock to be fit for the sudden-death finals clash.

The biggest concern is over Roosters centre Joey Manu who limped from the field with a calf injury in the 60th minute, while prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves lasted just 14 minutes before aggravating a neck injury.

Hooker Sam Verrills also came from the field in the 57th minute with an knuckle injury.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson will be hoping to have lock Victor Radley (HIA) and wingers Daniel Tupou (groin) and Joseph Suaali'i (shoulder) available after the trio missed the opening of the new Allianz Stadium.

Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook is due to return after missing the last two matches with COVID protocols, while rookie winger Izaak Thompson (hamstring) may also be available for selection.

Captain Cameron Murray is hopeful of being cleared to take his place after being ruled out of the match due to a head knock sustained in just the second tackle.

Siliva Havili, who started at hooker in place of Cook, will also have to pass HIA protocols to play after being taken from the field for testing twice, but assistant coach Ben Hornby insisted Jai Arrow (groin) would be fit.