NRL 2024 | Rabbitohs v Roosters | Full Match Replay | Round 27

well this man is Mark noong toas 11 test matches for the wallabies and just weeks ago he was representing Australia in rugby Sevens at the Paris Olympics yeah I was watching him during the warm up he is a big man he's not a small Winger he looks athletic good under the high ball n needid just keep an eye on him this is his debut in the NRL he's not far into the game he was a roosters Junior as a 16-year-old nice moment for him following in the footsteps of another former wabby turn rooster from the 1980s Brett pworth who like Mark is a product of the famous Eastwood Rugby Club in Sydney and Brett Remains the president of Eastwood has been for over a couple of decades now and Talis Duncan another lovely symbol tonight is Talis D playing lock but where's the number eight the number dawned by Ron C throughout his illustrious career so the final Rodeo of the year for South the rooster is heading to the finals got an unscheduled overhaul of their team let's see what they can produce this [Applause] evening and here's the rugby convert himself no to tled strongly by the two departing bunnies cook and Burgess across to lenu he and real starting up in the front row tonight and each of those men used primarily in a bench roll oh oh they made an error early in the [Applause] piece and they're up for this one the bunnies good line speed up in the face of the roosters forc the error just dragging spenc enu sideways the ball comes free a good start by Mark n to he took the kickoff and then took play two just settled the nerves for the debutant G gray to feed the South Sydney scrum on the 30 m line five of their seven wins this year have been in home Games relas host Arch Rivals out here at City Olympic Park tonight that's Duncan and not only is it a number eight it is a golden number eight [Applause] it's a Burgess now 248 appearances for this very famous club cook to the right Hawkins be tackled by curri now this very slight fullback 78 kilos that was dou my apologies gr's the other player in the right head here he Hawkins a kick up out wide so Taps it back with enormous confidence close to the line well it was a dangerous tap what you call it enormous confidence I'm not showing you what SPO was playing then looks like he's picked up an injury too he's holding a shoulder that might be that nerve damage that he picked up a fortnite ago just keep an eye on Joseph [Applause] Su here's the the injury here just goes into that tackle [Applause] so the newly crowned Brad fitler medalist Angus K been a sturdy start for souths another good defensive set and Ki was forced to kick from very deep in his own half now great 170 cm only a a very slight build playing with enormous bravery throughout 12 NRL appearances so far to Jacob gagy [Applause] nowon katangi another error this one for South and the ball back in rooster hands that needs to be the rooster's attitude Matt they just need to kick the ball down here win the field position and just wait for S Sydney to suum to pressure looking to play off offloading football here as with [Applause] Tesco wrapped up by Mo it's a throwback isn't it the front row wearing 133 and now the strong through the middle or he's made another mistake challenge it was tackle one neither team putting a great premium possession throughout the opening exchanges yeah not sure if Spencer just dropped this baller he's trying to look for an offload he's going a little bit sideways at the moment The Roosters this is a powerful direct run but then just looking for that offload just drops the ball down at his feet can't be looking for the shortcuts at the moment even against a team that haven't been traveling overly well haven't won a game for 6 weeks the the rabbit o but still plenty of class in their team well the field looks a kit here for the Friday night game here in round 27 alanas patrolling the sideline for us good evening hello Tomar yeah it's Flawless down here for footy I'm bit surprised with the first few errors actually cuz conditions are pretty perfect at the moment there is a little bit of humidity but a slight breeze as well at the back of the roosters coming out of that back corner where Mark Nang Nasi is so that's why we saw the kick head for that opposite side W whoa he's come flying in SW and your mind immediately flashes back to what happened here in origin is it unavoidable well he looked to be a lot lower Joseph he's he's already low to the ground Jo great he's tried to lower I don't know if he can get much lower than that I think he's got it right yeah I think he's done a good job there he's done a really good job oh yeah like you said he's not any short he was slipping he was not a ground level himself well well he he fumbled the ball so he was going down to get the ball and J Su was ready to make the tackle he's definitely got him in the head but there's certainly some circumstances around that one so an early change an unscheduled [Music] change in fact gray looked to be coming from the field with the China but he stayed out there we'll see whether the independent doctor did we just see a little bit of Common Sense Yeah in our game so Manu linking in with Kiri fascinated to see what happens with respect to manu's role here is such a potent attacking player and did spend a portion of the warm up running at 5'8 might they use him in that role throughout the game maybe a break for Watson at some stage and Smith into dummy half they get one week plus rehearsal before the big time next week Kon he's got 11 tries this year and he's 3 m away from another one back to lenu kick you by Ki no one going to a oh yeah try scorer and he left High into the air and comes down with the ball well what the melan Winger will warri come over from Seven rugby and does an incredible job in the air and the moment the ball went in the air you just knew there was something special going to happen timed his run perfectly up against tyan MRE who was a tall Winger on the Harvey Norman replay look at the timing here gets his balance leaps off the left foot hands in the air that was beautiful I'm going to give the two front rowers for the roosters to wrap here Spencer lenu and Terrell may they knew it was the last tackle and the ball went to them first Spencer lenu he said I got to get rid of this he give it to his front row partner he said not me thanks got it to Luke Kiri he's the playmaker and then play to your strengths maranga n there the UI fan cam well it's the Marky Mark fan C you're right about the front rows Billy and it was brisk yeah bang bang straight to the half I don't know whether it was fear or skill but they they got rid of the ball and then look at the leap the athleticism Alana yeah I spoke to Robo before the game and he was really impressed with Mary Mark's instincts at training he'll be in plenty of highlight reels throughout his rug League career as he was playing rugby union both 15s and sevens but instinctively he's both athletic and just a brilliant footballer it's great to see we didn't have to wait long you can see he's just a a blessed athlete a hulking man and it's 60 to the roers [Applause] behind well it's a tongue twister of a name but it's on everyone's lips tonight Mark no to first try scorer in his NRL Deo 8 minutes gone Roost is 60 by the looks of it we'll get plenty of practice with his name so we we talk around the absence of Walker and Smith but also missing from the pack Radley and Butcher and young and tupo out on the wing so and new faces on either side of the field an inside pass here from ponga it's been knocked on by SW on the back up he had both roosters in support and he found the middle of them beautiful play by Luke Keri he loves The Blind Side finds a wing of ponga and just got it in the middle of Keri and Su there's Victor Radley Daniel tupo all the boys Lindy Collins Ned butcher domang a bit of salary salary C sitting on the bench isn't there there's been a few errors in in the roosters game the opening 10 minutes they just got to find their balance getting close to semi-final football and the big teams they'll be near perfect at this time of the year so just finding that balance is crucial tonight there's another wonderfully gifted Runner Tyrone Monroe marking up on no another stoppage there's been no fluidity at all in the the opening minutes on top of their discipline bill with the ball The Roosters are also the most penalized team when you lose your strike attacker Sam Walker the last thing you want to be doing is doing all you're attacking from your own end so the discipline without the ball is Paran as [Applause] [Music] well Tackle by the Bahu white Talis dunan for Cody Walker now mil was able to pop an offload he ran towards the smaller man in sand Smith it goes to Burgess and now cook trying to dance his way through stop by Kon right in front of the [Applause] post Duncan playing it cook for to he got Jarred what a good shot he got two p he held it now Walker a chip out wide he's got another one in the air no one and a great offload on the back of it there is danger here Tesco from the back field tackled eight from the halfway where's domang stop it that was brilliant and now Smith trying to punch through some disorganized defense Watson oh there's two P hit on Burgess he went for the biggest on the team another pass hits the dead and it fli the fingers of Junior the first time goes forward well they going after their attack The Roosters the best attacking team in the competition they don't want to lose that tag with a couple of injuries to key position players Luke Kiri heavily involved they're creating plenty of chances well the best attacking team with about seven other different plays in the side as well different combinations across the park so they need nine points to break the club record for most points in a regular season it's currently 710 from the roers of 2004 [Applause] so they're taking some crucial players out of this combination but really says there they're going for it Burgis [Applause] now a little giggle with Angus kryon there as Hawkins goes to Walker and now host mdle at the 20 short side play cook brings it back underneath to Walker from one side to the other Matangi rolling a kick towards the goal line took a deviation and Esco scaring across the ground Dives on the ball 12 tries for Teddy this year most of any rooster out there this evening young 19 tries in 19 games [Applause] marus ex exe now some flimsy defense and a tackle made by Kenna just in from the touch [Applause] lineon yeah he got the bumper bars up and he clicked the defender hard lift that up into a dangerous position get a ball carrier this is a most disjointed start to the game there stands out with that strapping on his arm elbow up a little bit High hitting T Duncan in the throat he's had a strong season Angus kryon probably the form back row of the competition front on the line we've completed two from six and given away two penalties not ideal matang he's Ted away played in every game this year as has this man the veteran prop Burgess tackle 11 short Damen cook left to Talis D now to Cody Walker wrapping around that's old school and the pass went to mil flat right defense no toas jamming [Applause] a one bounce pass and now Watson with an enveloping tackle on Duncan and it comes now to [Applause] moale look fairly controlled policing their goal line it goes to Walker through Duncan Hawkins and gray and another a jamming Tackle by the Winger that was pong coming flying into C over there pong he attacks with his defense as soon as the ball went to J gray he made his decision he was jamming last tackle the rabitos decide to run the football just watch when the the little guy with the headgear gets the ball ponga he decides to jam on katangi forget about the kick attacking with my defense a reminder as well not withstanding the caliber of troops missing for the roosters they really were overpowered by the Raiders at Aliant and only a 5-day turnaround coming into this game d gets so I'd imagine there'd be a few left over from Sunday carrying some bumps and bruises to Desco and hearing the brains trust behind the line I to see the way leag pits have shunn the Roosters on the back of Walker and Smith last week from nearly a position of Premiership favoritism to being dismissed when they send the message their Rivals with a big win tonight they're in a fight for the moment C what a good ball that is Tesco ping it n away scooped up by Watson underneath the kryon another loose ball K didn't knock it on he must have gone close and now what targets J gray good help from bur is coming in Watson and Ki and Smith oh that's a glorious tap on by six more tackles no takes plenty of stopping he's done well to hold [Applause] that hasn't put a fingernail wrong on the oh Spence has lost another one well that's a let off fresh set of six right on the south Sydney line their defense has been problematic right throughout the year just can't seem to sustain any pressure and they've made it worse here by a penalty you're continuing on the ball mate yeah they scrambled well there the RAB and holding the roosters out the roosters just look like they're trying to score off every play at the moment last game of the year Home and Away season and the roosters will play finals next week they want to practice for that and if it was two from six before it's it's two from Seven they've completed that's a pretty poor completion rate going to get some fatigue into this rabid OED team 24 NRL and nrlw tster Premiership Grand Final on sale now it will be on in Earnest here at a core stadium in Sydney Sunday October 6 be there to witness The Impossible happen nrl.com tickets gray now another ball on the ground hkin having quite one in a r game since he hurt that quad back in round nine comes into to partner Walker with white not available for the final game of the year Walker's been prominent stading a pass for Monroe a chip and follow covered by Watson oh and he got clipped High well Cody Walker threw a cut out ball to Monroe there the last time he went down that side no Waz he jammed in on the center the ball went to T mil he put that in the memory bank and he got the Winger with a cut out ball let's watch for that play next time K goes back down there they always look one short there the rabbits just not gain enough speed of the rock 4020 curious seen enough oh B bounce it out of his own territory it bounced backwards didn't it yeah it's a really smart kick too they be making plenty of Errors The Roosters early kick early in the tackle count Luke K said to his troops hey we're going to win this game defensively I'm going to kick the ball down there play field position I'm going to change the attitude of what we're thinking about our footy that was an experienced kick that one they didn't get the bounce he wanted but it was the right play Go you talk about brains trust Conor Watson he plays a big part in what's going to happen over the next month doesn't play that much football but he would have been in every single meeting he knows everything that goes on knows all these players played a big role for New South Wales this year in state of origin and fastly experienced that's too low for me Third Man ends too low yeah feel you can get in the backside but under those knes is dangerous manate so not a lot of force by Ki but referees don't take kindly to that third man coming in [Music] low had four penalties in eight [Applause] errors now key playing his 100th in our real game outside the 10 now haril NL game [Applause] 150 they're hanging with them here sou they'd love a try the longer they hang with them the more the belief will grow there was an opportunity Walker fired the ball but Manu got in the way yeah he fired it to the Winger that was going to Monroe as well you see here he's expecting Waz to in and if the ball gets out to the wing of there space out there down to you Alana yeah you can see them trying to get into Mark nang's head I've been keeping a close eye on Joseph Su on the other Edge actually he looks like he's got some left shoulder dramas so I'd be channeling some attacking traffic out there on that left Edge on his left shoulder they head in the opposite direction was a great tackle sandon Smith he look nearly through the line there t Mill more good contact that's white on [Music] havil no opportunity there for Talis Duncan they burn a tackle 3 m away from the line D cook now to once again really looked un troubled on their line from the def in perspective The Roosters comes across to walk up now there's a chance a dumy and run is there a player caught in the defensive line here the roosters were signaling but the try is awarded well that was just a bit of Cody Brilliance just getting across the field the ball in two hands he's hit every single player outside him thus far on the Harvey Norman replay goes out the back to Hawkins they get it to their main man Cody Walker and just watch him go dummy hits Joy gray the w n wasi Falls over he's only fall to the game so far look at Cody dummy D Joey Manu out of the line nearly had to happen they've been there 10 times it nearly had to happen you get what you deserve in this game and the roosters they deserved those points against them error after error after error and when people say the great players have time just watch Cody Walker and the time that he has with the football to make a decision he's not premeditated with his decision he goes to the line show show show and then throws the ball he just keeps Joey Manu interested in his lead Runner and then he's got a little rabbit out the back like Jo gray too much speed but that time with the football the great players have time and Cody Walker has plenty be interesting talk to no n AI after the game and well Cody Walker is one of the best ball players I've ever seen interesting ask him what was in his mind as he was running at him so cook doing the kicking and this one is off Target [Music] [Music] just hold on WIP for the whistle St on the back of a six game losing run souths holding their hands up against the roosters here a try a piece and Cy now good carry back past the 20 and now they dble down that left hand side it's Jacob host runs from 13 14 [Applause] m m joins it three plays out pretty much on the halfway line look for Walker he's been busy Talis ding left side pointing out as well the roosters the the headline act if you will heading towards the finals but hugely debilitating list of absentees for South Sydney Ron Mitchell Murray amongst them nearly a th000 games worth of nool experience missing in that group of players for the South Sydney team I caught him H when you're up in the air you had to release him you continue to push him down there's a standing tackle you got to release him at the stand Grant Atkins penalized s he thought they overcooked the tackle he called held while he was in the [Music] air can Rebound in 2025 see one on the ground now real mate oh what slipping overco looking for some space in the middle denied of any clear air by Damen Cook's tackle it goes to KI it was filed after that kick was sent up play on says the referee yeah made contact in time any later that would have been dangerous contact but he got there right on contact for the football for that he still tackle kickers just can't do it after they kick the ball Rel [Applause] D he's had nine runs in the game [Applause] already cook dashing up over the halfway tackled by Terrel havil the walk up oh de he missed his Target and by quite a margin as well yeah good pressure on Cody Walker there was a couple of roosters that came out of the line Cody wanted to kick down a short side sand and Smith was one just forced Cody to push it wide when's the game going to break out Brad look at all the ball no one's tired every R [Music] [Applause] fresh driving tackle on the fu white Watson fori so six more tackles and a good platform for the roosters to work [Applause] off sand Smith Tesco try to get inside of Walker pull down around the waist now Manu in from the centers looking up with Kiri great ball a floating pass ponga spitting for the corner and wins the race a Tre we saw the class of Cody Walker down the other end of the field his opposite number Luke Ki he shows his class on this occasion he just senses the Rabbid o Winger jamming in in and just floats the ball over the top Harvey Norman replay just watch when Luke Kiri gets the ball he sees gagy coming up in the line and beautiful feel beautiful skill just to float the ball over the top to ponga just put it out in front of him so he can run onto it Joey Manu just drifting across Field playing like a 58 and then Luke Ki he does the rest it's a nice way to bring your right center into play hasn't just stopped himself over on this side of the field he loves getting across the field there's Ki at the back a poor Ro Jacob gagar just came up out of the line defending no [Music] one Alana yeah he was also just that player that they weren't expecting wasn't he they had that little bit of momentum they got the six again bit of roll on in the play the balls and then a floating Joey Manu that's dangerous at any time but holding back the center and the Winger made the wrong decision and a lovely class to execute but I tell you what the crowd is pretty healthy down here in this rivalry clash and they like that one rabido fans traveling on [Applause] mass it's a solid strike from out wide but out to the left [Music] [Music] stay back stay behind guys so Junior pong playing the role of Daniel tupo on that leftand Wing margin back out to six points well that was a a run that was full of Gusto from the 20-year-old SE W move in the middle need to was play it on the 20 it's a youthful looking bench for the roosters tonight SE Wong first of The Interchange players used at 20 years of age D SV AR on the bo 19 Blake steep also on the bench this evening also a 19-year-old had a highly touted group of young players coming through the system at the roosters and we're starting to see them emerge to the bo the game out from the finals I've watched a fair bit of D played with Blake St my son played with him he is a beast not only a big strong Runner he's aggressive great defender he won't be overwhelmed at all out there tonight he went to school at St Michael's College in kulture and apparently with his first touch of the footy in Rab Le he ran the length of the field looked like Jan lomu unreliably [Applause] informed Sunny says he does a bit of boxing as well man you lift that leg and it's dangerous there's two guys already in the tackle he can't go that Reg for the dangerous action strangely enough that's in Queens land got a brother too does he Xavier y why do you ask questions so which you know the answer really so here's t m this time think back a couple of years of that fiery Clash at Al M they been twice didn't he started Radley [Applause] Burgess not quite as much feeling this evening it SS within Striking Distance here against an N disciplin roosters out key now more possession right down in that West back Red Zone for South it goes to Talis do Walker straight pass to B left him standing yeah he want Tilly tuano do some adjusting on the line here he was too tight and realized got himself wider and then Cody just dragged him look how tight he is to his inside Defender Cody gets the ball notices this has the ball in two hands once again had satii gone sideways the moment he turned his shoulders just dummy left footstep on the Harvey Norman replay this is slick watch his bang one move when you're sitting tight to your Defender you you feel like you need to rush to help your outside Defenders once a ball goes past you Cody spotted that and just cut him in two well he's passed for the last half an hour and the roosters have felt that this time he's just bang off that left foot he's spending more time in this leftand side of the field now Jack Whit's out and he's moved over to this leftand side been playing a lot on the right of late this is his favorite side this [Music] [Music] [Music] C Walker to 99 NRL tries and the scoreboard to 10 all oh he's dropped the kick off backwards crisis of er adjust oh he looked very very awkward under that Jacob poost he's not an outfield by the looks of things it goes to Mill now see what presenting sou with these opportunities they've got the strike power to upset them here and Walker has Illustrated that and another great Dash by cook up to the halfway line play back to Daven [Music] cook and the mini Murray tell us Duncan stopped by satii tupua he'll be ruin that defensive lapse that led to the walk and try a kick by Hawkins targeting pong and it's an energetic kick Chase well the longer this game goes more a South Sydney feeli and and certainly look like they're capable of matching it against the top four bound roosters SP fact the roost has have more than double the wins in the season on the South City outfit here is the debutant deel que under 19 rep and yes he is a large large man at 19 years of age oh penalty on the last it's dangerous mate it's not it's not much different to the other one when you're going down to that low Leake [Applause] consecutive sets of six now the Roosters on the 30 there's the West Pack Red Zone has been the Rabbid o spending most time inside the opposition 20 20 to5 roosters might accumulate a few tackles here to se Wong 15 away per for sand Smith great re [Applause] Walker now [Applause] Manu grabs your interest when he comes in and controls that middle section of the ground numbers again pong for the same corner with a one handed put down it's the exact same spot as the previous one well James Esco has been heavily involved in this first half and been carrying the football he was the guy they got the set started down the other end of the field from dummy half he's still very classy James Tesco Harvey Norman replay just gets the ball here sums it up once Richie Kenna puts the pressure on Tesco he throws that cut out ball to pong up he's a smart player James tadesco you just see there as soon as he feels that pressure from the center he knows he's Winger is free on the end of the line just catching past the ball nice play Alana yeah they've got in the head of Jacob gagi out there on that right wing but again that penalty the discipline in this game been so influential but a penalty right at the end of their set earned them the territory and it with Tesco but also Luke Ki he was heavily involved in that set playing both sides of the rock linking up with sanon Smith on the right Edge and then found his fullback back who helped made that brilliant decision to finish things off again for the Winger so one of these eight new faces this week and a double already in the first half for junior ponga 28 years old Junior ponga he's planning his 21st NRL game doing a great job finishing off some nice movements but still had plenty of work to do to get the ball down with swali can make the appropriate correction from right on touch it's a a repeat of the previous kick or it's just by [Music] four no intensity at all [Music] Sor finding a lot of territory on that leftand attacking Channel and the roosters with try number three in the first half stand up Tellis Square leave a home what early penalty no to a feed with him getting to his feet so a minute remaining just under and a chance to kick for touch and maybe launch an attack right on the Stoke of the break sou have done relatively well to this point important to defend this [Applause] set V playing it to Watson and may runs into key along with Damen [Applause] cook K bringing Kon into the line where he stopped by Hawkins and Keon KOA Matangi Watson now again attacking that left hand Edge Ken with a good read that time so probably the final play in the half and maybe there'll be a kick out wide for to sa he signaling for it he was Sublime with the first catch he tapped it down this time and Walker is there to clean up the loose ball SLE one [Applause] there feel like bit of water trading going on in the first half we didn't get any great flow in the game but despite lack of discipline and perhaps some intensity The Roosters had the lead at halftime 1410 to the first gameer no who's really shot the lights out in his first half as an NRL player so iite he gets the second half [Applause] underway SE at halftime the score from the the earlier games param relegating the West Tigers to a third straight wooden spoon but the news for param fans not good on Dylan Brown been reported that he has suspected a an ACL injury he's been sent for scad to confirm that with the club saying I think that's what it might be mag last game of the year such a critical part of that team that's missed Mitchell Moses for the large part of the back section of the Season he'll also miss the Pacific championships be the Australians last year I think it was 30 n in the finals [Music] two tries for this man Junior [Music] [Applause] pong strong run suali out past the 30 play to Tesco and now the former Wabi [Applause] I got another little bit of news about he and his brother at half time bread apparently zavier you mentioned the boxing element of their their sporting story his brother zavier at 11 years of age fought a 17-year-old and beat him gr with a comfortable catch and now this inessive young gun Tyrone Monroe could c a real stir next season you fancy Monroe with another preseason under his belt another very young player 19 years of age himself Hawkins oh soite he was in there trying to Crunch him with the halfback bounced off it's a shame he couldn't get the ball away they had a three-on-one outside Su big opportunity he's had a game walker hasn't [Applause] he now Hawkins Chase coming through Kenna backed off there so he wouldn't and tackle the player in midair that was ponga the catcher now Ki tries to dash off down that left hand side one the Grand Final souths on this ground going back a decade [Applause] Cody long [Applause] [Music] up now M pass on the inside to a surging tadesco good read by [Music] [Applause] Duncan here's kick lands with Monroe he's actually surprisingly tall Ty remember he's a real string be he's well over 6 foot he's a real athlete looks like he's picked up a little niggling injury after that run but we heard from Justin Holbrook the assistant coach of the roosters after half time and we spoke about simplifying their game I think both teams have simplified their game Ball's been in Play 3 and 1/2 minutes now just getting a bit of a feeling around their footy getting some fatigue in the opposition game will open up after a few more minutes of this comfortably the longest uninterrupted section of the game Hawkins another kick to [Applause] pong comes back to the middle they string some passes together there is some room no one toat giv it away to Manu Manu to the halfway beat one got to pass back peny here yeah this is the penalty to the roosters and there's still plenty of feeling between these two teams although the the buildup has been much about the injuries to the roosters and the rabitos playing their last game s sending off a couple of long serving bunnies but there is still plenty of feeling between these two teams and this is the the game opening up the kick Chase of the rabido wasn't quite there and the roosters took of it sorry how far out now w n he does a great job to create the overlap look at that beautiful footwork got the pass away Joey Manu he did the work to get back there on the kick return I don't know what the penalty or the penalty was for the Monro coming in on no n AI okay good beautiful bit of footwork on tan mil well he beat tan mil didn't he beat him with the footwork and then beat the Winger with the pass I think Joey Manu would like that pass again he had the plays where he wanted them he just didn't have control of the ball and roll out the top of his hand under pressure he need to make them in the big games so 5 me over the halfway Ki first [Applause] receiver another hard run stopped by kalal Matangi Ki for Smith hasn't seen a lot of attacking football tonight sandon Smith made with an offload and wson with a right footstep Billy there to stop him along with key smith now attacking from close range ah yes he threaded the needle beautifully what a ball for tupu that was the last tackle and sandon Smith he gets the ball he was probably thinking kick to his Winger he had N nid Out on the right wing that was his initial thought but he saw the space the retreating defensive line Harvey Norman replay he just thought take the space he had Runners on his outside he just had the pick the right man and artill Tano he always runs into space beautiful pass by sandon Smith Tupa he finishes off his work great play by The Roosters yeah Cody Walker he only took a step forward and then from there he just started moving backwards he just assumed Smith was going to pass the ball he was going to support his outside men and hopefully push him over the solum I just watch Cody he points out he stops he starts running backwards then he opens the space for cly he's pushing him towards the sideline and sandon Smith committed him and open up the space between him and tan Miller Lana he knew he had the four on three shape and he's been doing he just did to Cody Walker exactly what Cody Walker's been doing to him all night s Smith just took him on but it was the pace at which he ran at the line he sprinted at Cody Walker then forced him to make that tackle and a lovely little short ball to his back rower another wide assignment for swali but that's a lovely kick [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] stay back guys that's a positive sign for this new roosters number seven sand and Smith an opportunity presents itself and he Nails the pass to Vana a tri scorer Here Comes so chares either side of halfway and no thrill start to this second half by The Roosters they came out of the blocks like they were trying to put the game away early didn't really settle into their work it's been the opposite response after the break well played back to Watson and now St tackle made by KY go Ki andus Kon from a standing start finds room tadesco is there in support the captain is off and gone well the roosters jerseys where Angus cry started to run I just don't think there were any sou jerseys it feels like someone had to be impeded there was only James Tesco following on the Harvey Norman replay comes out of the left hand side James Tesco being the ball player tip on to cden and there's jerseys all inside him play on well when you playing this game the one thing you can't do is watch plenty of people watching at the stadium and plenty of people sitting at home watching there was too many Rabbid o jerseys just watching the play Angus kryon he never looked like passing to the outside he was always running the football and there was no Rabbid o jerseys in front of him they were all watching well havil last week ran into his own player and got a penalty he just doesn't think it's quick this week if he dives into a rooster Jersey maybe it happens again from right in front more points for so e [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] well up until that point s defended fairly steadfastly particularly in the middle the tries that the roers have scored all outside efforts but Brion pulled through a massive hole right in the middle of the field oh goodness gracious run been strong V in his debut game [Applause] [Music] sare Terell May another offload Kon there Kenna got him but not before an offload to Watson he breaks free and there's a chance for pong is third here gray coming across pong holds him off a pass to Su L they've got three in succession H I'm okay with it now what a try and just kept the ball alive the chooks I thought Angus Kon he was held back before he received the football but it didn't matter they're starting to play some football now the roosters may he gets the ball to Kon and then the roosters just keep turning up Watson gets it out to Su and ponga Harvey Norman replay beautiful offline back on the inside and Su is there to support his Winger it all started with Terrell May that's a wonderful play nice offload and they just keep supporting each other they're having fun now the roosters talk about simplifying the game billing just two front rowers running hard and straight the young BL de cell sent a message off the kickoff then it was a hard running Terrell may they just ran through the South Sydney defense put out his right arm and they'll just red white and blue jerseys filing through the South Sydney defense have a at this off obstruction just on the fullback obstruction obstruction hard to get obstruction when they're they're offloading where's the obstruction this point Luke hury ends up in front of Connor Watson Conor Watson goes behind Luke Ki and because Luke Ki continues to run forward J gray is obstructed and can't come forward to defend we have a decision well if they're going to look at that they probably want to go back and look at Angus kryon getting tackled before he got the offload I think they missed one there can't get clearly to the ball that's a tough one yeah very tough that's a tough one F can live with it D talk to me about a spot as Luke K found himself in a position he didn't anticipate being [Music] in we'll have to wear that disappointment The Roosters now and defend their their try line I think that that's their first error of the half fi yeah they've started really well that's 11 minutes into this half first eror melis in 14 and Liam leblan in 15 one of the Deo players used this here for South Sydney Walker tried to bisector Gap but the roers always play at the ball before it gets through the line and they've W one back that was BR by sand Smith once again Cody Walker's got the balling two hands putting Under Pressure he just stood his [Applause] ground beautiful night at the footy Emma strong crowd yeah the official crowd 19,6 74 I've got to say there's a lot of roosters fans and the majority of those are probably the friends and family of both Mark nanga toas and Zas Salva both on debut they've been very Rowdy you can see some in the crowd there and of course the bunnies are farewelling Tom Burgess and Damen cook so plenty to celebrate this evening well to us his own fan club with him they've got the body paint and everything to see us boys had a Tom Burg's first s was great took a couple of big hits on the line a great first inning I think Damen Cook's been outstanding as well another penalty Joe Joseph this isn't good let's go there's been a burd just on the south cing roster every season since 2010 it'll be strange not seeing one of the brothers lying up in a South Sydney jumper Tommy's played the second most games for South Sydney yeah it's incredible [Applause] W pack Red Zone poor discipline from The Roosters AO and the rabbito 21 play the balls Here We Go Again here's mil cutting back to the middle a very late offload and it's back in rooster hands and pong saw a little bit of daylight ahead of him but the Gap closed down before he could accelerate LeBlanc over there to shut it down s just try to push the pass there in points chasing [Applause] mode kiy stopping SE W up on the halfway Line This is Blake steep now played his first game back in round 133 whats it couldn't out Pace his opposite number nine in Daman cook co to Kiri a kick out for the to he jump him a long way out and oh he there's been someone interfering with the rooster and the has been injured after hitting the ground yeah he left early didn't he it was escort there was a rabbito getting over there T mil running an destruction but he gets up into that airace that's an AFL hanger yeah up on the shoulders he's got great timing that's a lonely place when you're in the middle of a footy field winded I can't imagine a particularly pleasant experience regardless of where you are Brad so it's the worst feeling he's quite the target for that high kick Hold the Line they've got some some wonderful aerial technicians haven't they tup one of the best for many many years steep playing the ball and another big gap twoa and more support by Tesco try number two this is a beautiful play sand and Smith and tupo just run a nice little outline tupo and the man that's everywhere James Tesco he just keeps popping up the set play Smith plays nice and straight tupo just pops on the outside of Cody Walker and then the captain he's in the right spot at the right time Harvey Norman replay just a nice little variation of their play sand and Smith two no and then Tedesco they knew exactly where each other were and they ran it perfectly well if it work once it's going to work again the same space between Cody Walker and T mil it's a different line but it's South CNE or working together defense coming up past the ball the long levers of satii yeah there's definitely disconnect between mil and Cody Walker but just the roosters they look in sync when they get it right they've obviously got this new spine heading into the finals sand and Smith and also Connor Watson they're timing off one another you Chuck in there that man there James Tesco when they get it right when they hold the footy their timing and that spine's looking really nice together and it's an important few weeks in the broader context of James Tesco's representative and Ambitions because he's the incumbent ofra Captain but lost his place in the new South HS origin team to Dylan Edwards Dylan I think everyone can see isn't at full fitness as so pushes this left more on that shortly [Music] stay stay back here boys stay behind hang on no no got to stay behind stay behind it 30 to 10 the scoreboards blown out there's a short restart and he had a catch available there host but couldn't take it just on that fullback situation Billy we we don't know Sunday will'll know whether Carin pong features in the finals but ree Walsh obviously unavailable for brisban they're not part of the finals campaign so despite losing his his place in the New South Wales team there is a possibility Tesco hangs on to the Australian number one you could do worse than jamesco he's he's had a wonderful season and playing some good football I think they'll all be in the conversation kalum ponga Dylan Edwards he's carrying that knee injury at the moment I think the next four weeks might have a fair bit to say about it as well but yeah he'd be in the conversation James Tes for sure bouncing away from Defenders it gain M pace for Teddy there's an OB for pass for pass well they were calling obstruction but he's red the pass to have gone forward and that's why you be in the conversation he's a a well-rounded player you see here tan Mill rushes out he just bumps off that tackle he's done this his whole career bumps off tacklers and then creates space for himself he's a great Runner of the football tries to set up tupur could have went himself the problem's going to be the roosters are going to sit back and say how easy was this if we just held the ball and got good field position you don't normally get Second Chance in semi-finals took them 50 minutes to get their head around they just need to hold the ball and put pressure on S watch every medal of the paralympic games Paris 2024 live and free on 9 and N Gem and don't foret n now over 20 live sports channels there for you to Feast on just after the footy more paralympic action from [Applause] Paris when people say it's not exactly the game you need leading into the finals this is definitely not the game The Roosters need they're just getting easy possession easy field position clock on they look like they can score off every set stop the SC clock they won't get that luxury next [Applause] week big Tom Burgess he's got a an interchange card in his hand he's on his feet again for the last time he'll take the field in a green and red [Music] [Applause] jersey maniri disco cross [Music] [Applause] to now wall could be try to get physical in that tackle with the young interchange for bounced away plays it 15 out lenu not his greatest of opening stints particularly with respect to his ball handling but he's back on the park now sandon Smith Watson the Gap closed just in the mick of [Music] time t for Teddy they dig towards the end goal and a try it's a third for junior P well Jacob Gago just lost the ball he's holding his right knee Junior ponga they put the kick through Jacob gagy turned he had plenty of time he just lost sight of the [Applause] ball he wouldn't think they could get any more injury problems the rooster on the Harvey Norman replay James SES puts it through on the left foot gagy has it and just pulls up on him and Junior ponga comes in underneath like the beach flag just ducks in under and the play wasn't run well at all by the time James Tesco got it it was three on three it was just a a classy kick left foot off the nonpreferred and then some desperation and urgency shown by ponga you see him land on that right knee looks like he's sustained an the injury and he's walking back which is good signs Jacob gagy nearly ran over the ball first in a real hatrick for junior ponga he's walking unassisted now so that probably lays any fears of something particularly serious the way that he landed on the ground suspect a potential PCL injury lands right on the point of his right knee just watch his right knee here there well Daniel tupo has been rested so he's the normal left Winger [Applause] that's a kick scraped inside the posts coming up the biggest Chemist Warehouse Sunday footy we've had all year last game of the season proper the knights and the Dolphins battling it out for the final spot in the finals both teams hoping to keep the dream alive tune in from 3:30 for all the action the build up and then the match proper live and free on Nine's Wide World of Sports it'll be absolutely heing tune in don't miss that one your thought Bill oh there are so many story lines to this but the biggest Story the winner gets to play finals and if that's the Dolphins that'll be the first time the Dolphins play finals since their Inception into the [Applause] competition KN will have something to say about it oh I'm I'm leaning to I'm leaning towards the dolphins not by much off Kum ponga if he has one of these afternoon heast he could really s the result who do you like Freddy on the fence I think I've tipped both teams so far of course you have watching what kalin's done over the last couple of weeks backwards off roosters at this stage he's such a star and Newcastle have handled the last couple of big games really well James Tesco touches the ball prior to Tom Burgess it's a double knock on the first off Roosters on the other unsuccessful I think the Dolphins are a really good footy to him across the park they're dangerous across the park you've still got yours yet be interesting if who takes the field is Jake ailla started 5'8 so that that reworked combination that Bennett went with last week has been named again seem to been liveen the Dolphins different roles for different players across the park and and the critical part was that it enabled Fuller and the hammer to get on the field at the same time well apparently they didn't train at all we'll have a related in trainer five back I didn't want anyone tonight [Applause] Hain The Walker Savage good tackle steep I read that one the [Applause] CHS T see Wong picks up Tom Burgess and drives him almost a foot underneath the turf it comes to Hawkins Kenna beat one can't beat Ki and Watson and then Teddy on the last line [Applause] C walking out he kicks him behind host was Miles upside noong toas retrieves the ball and runs back to the field of play yeah doing a great job defensively The Roosters 24 minutes into the second half still yet to consider a point I think that'll be a subconscious goal for the roosters to to keep their opposition to nil in this second [Applause] half he's a promising young forward Brad good BL steep he's got plenty of football in him great defender as you saw earlier hits hard one foot [Applause] get up get up get up great looks up and see six roof to Jumers see he's been hungry hasn't he he was the one up underneath Tom Burgess in the last [Applause] setr spent some time out of the NRL team earlier in the season seong need to go back and earn the recall and it would appear he's there for uh for the remainder of the Year given the injury situation well all the French players have been strong ponga scored three tries sandon Smith laid on a couple of tries nul White had a great first in with injury comes opportunity plenty of BL putting their hand up oh he's hit that perfectly orins that's the kind of kick that you're down the as a kid practicing you hit it too well sometimes when they're spiraling too well you can predict where they're going to land that one was perfect you love that as a kid you practicing your kicking and your n the Tor ah that felt [Applause] good so 40 minutes remain in South Sydney season of call a times turmoil suppose disappointment as the most obvious emotion they'd be feeling still try toate that's why change of Coach early in the piece was never really working for them at all from the start of the Year chasing their tail after going wless in the first month of the Premier ship D silvaon Watson on the bench also so Zack Docker Clay is out there they had a bit of a flurry of winds under Ben hary then injuries just killed them now with that electrifying Pace he sets one up out wide Monroe back [Applause] to I tackle three man I got a no try destructed but I didn't run into him which which can be the case to see Jacob host going through the line here he doesn't make much contact let just let him go there was a situation earlier though with Luke Ki it was quite subtle what it does do is it just prevents sand Smith for for a fraction to get out looking at the lead Runner of Jacob host you think sand would have been the outside shoulder of sandon Smith he does interrupt him for gray then runs back through that space we have a decision I don't know if he would have got J gray he pretty quick on his feet he summed up the situation well gray with those quick BLS but you need every every millimeter every millisecond to get your body in front of him and think sand Smith will stop from doing that yeah you take your eyes off that headgear for a split second he's fast he's gone gone remember sitting with the referees a long long time ago and explaining that if you took your your eyes off Matt Bowen for a split second he would skip across three Defenders it was gone wait wa Wild Sports has launched a new podcast Marley and Me our own Marley Silva covers the personal stories behind some of the biggest names in rby League find Marley and Me at 9 now or whether you get your podcast kin pong his chat with Marley out now Jordan Ricky will be dropping on [Applause] Monday fourth tackle six more since South is waiting for the finish line here and nefu white up within a couple of meters of the line seven tries for the roosters lines off side the whole left hand defensive Edge was 10 me by the time they played the ball the ball boys question respon sorry M I'm asking a question I was want the response didn't he a question to be fair hold the I think it was dbby Miley no it didn't he was penalized for being a pest M been but the E be guilty of that bre Z off play Miss and Smith to this scooping it up and Walker with the tackle immediately had to be offside [Applause] then Roost to set up to this left hand side sanding Smith to Luke Ki sends Kon into the defense and the 10m line Zach do clay Ki and away for Spencer Rich get off give South withstanding the first five tackles of this set the pass off Target again went backwards off T Ki he's kicking out to our man the to go Monroe he's clear gone he went the length against pen P away again pulled away oh what a lovely Runner what a stride he covers plenty of ground as soon as he broke that first tackle you knew no one was catching him tone Monroe he can move just picked up a loose ball out on that left hand side ball went to Luke Kiri having on replay like the first half he just went on kicking Waz and Monroe he gets the scraps soon as he got in the clear it will shut the gate he was away well it doesn't matter who you're cheering for if he gets the ball in space you're standing up the moment he got in space he got checked by satii I see Wong checked him Joey Manu he knew straight away he was no good he looks like he's carrying a an injury to his right leg as well he's not fully fit bit but still had too much speed to get to the line Alana oh what about the gas on him that would have been good if Mary Mark didn't get caught up with the kick then cuz that would have been one hell of a leg race between the two of them but I think you're right bill I don't even think he hit full speed there he definitely pulled up a little bit limber but still Tyrone Monroe in space what a sight it was about 15 M there where he got Fair inome is's Junior ponga succumb to the ankle injury or the knee is a pretty special site watching Ty Monroe running in front of the Cathy Freeman stand yes cook successful from out wide well they've got a star of the future here in Tyrone Monroe don't miss every game and every try of the final series here on Nine's Wide World of Sports for groundbreaking player access and Analysis from the greatest Minds in the game nine is the home of the NRL finals including the Grand Final exclusive live and free October [Music] 6 that's the trophy they are all playing for and the Panthers four in a row wow what a month of footy we've got in front of us stay behind it starts tomorrow with the Panthers up against the ti The Roosters move into second position that means they'll have the home final the Panthers win now move back into second position and the final will be at it blue bit or as it's being being called tomorrow Henri Park Henri Park but going back to its original name for what is the final regular season game at that that Grand Stadium in the western suburbs of Sydney there's the live L Brad speaks of so the Panthers with the victory will leap head of the Roosters on points which means Melbourne and penth will host week one of course we're we're not all that clearer on teams Five and Below as to where they're going to finish for the Cowboys in particular for them to get a home final week one will be profound well the manly result really weighs heavy on that ball was always up and that decision they win didn't roll that scrum I'll move into the the b six position and get a home final you tell the same for Marland H final final rookie tack down there would be been cramming them in there all year Tom back [Music] yeah grade three AC joint and for nights a short turnar around to come back S no good he's not there this way Walker juggle by m [Applause] so round 27 and still a number of questions remain unresolved a a fascinating weekend of football this time next week will be the finals Burgess in his last game cook to Burgess I spoke to these two men before the game is that last time wearing the rabbit o colors and they combine for a try quick play the ball Damen Cook gets into dummy half like he does he gets out pretty sharp looks for opportunity and there's Tom Burgess he's just charging into space like he's done his whole career for the bunnies big Tom Burgess plenty of support here at a COR stadium for Thomas here it is here it was pet Peter monzales I've been wrapping up Cookie close enough Harvey Norman replay just look at big to he just charges not a hand laid on him and I'm tipping he's going to take the kick as well he is he's got the ball set up already well he's not the first prop to kick a goal today Billy cuz RI and Campbell Gillard kick one for parah Tom just can you get H can you get one point that deserves one that is the kick of a prop if I've ever seen one he didn't take long to kick it that was like a sledgehammer hitting a wall here he goes look at him he's seen that before The Stance he's gone just oh oh he just snuck it in to the layer of pain off he's the first bur's brother to kick a goal Sam had an attempt and missed well Tom wasn't far away from that either we found something the family can't do got say was a beautiful play the ball Jacob host quick play of the ball melis took advantage Tom Burgess doesn't look any better than [Applause] that send off kick a Time oned ritual man gal hit the field goal in his last [Applause] game has been going on about repeatedly for The Last 5 Years in front when he kicked it uh I believe so I think it was at L [Applause] Car [Applause] Square him up last one still need to try and find some vision of farewell kicks that have gone wrong across the years ah nicely a bit of play that cook pursuing a walker kick sprinting over towards the opposite sideline and he's tackled there on play five trying to get in on the action and he saw Tom bur just get a farewell try he thought I want one too and chasing a nice little grubber from Cody [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] Walker so Luke Ki acknowledging the crowd well I don't I think it's a mixed to reaction there's some that are standing in clapping and there's a few booze as well he was a sou Legend before making that treasonous move Billy from South to The Roosters short memories all Immortal Oh Long memories yes all Immortal Ron C represented both clubs with distinction Lana Emma pardon me breaking news uh so Tomo Junior ponga it's not as bad as we first thought so as Billy mentioned he's coming back from that PCL injury so he landed on it it is sore they've just kept him off with some ice as a precaution but they don't think he's done the P again so that's good news indeed you slightly more optimistic about the rooster's fortunes based on the second half here Billy well it's been a better second half especially at the start of it they just had a bit of mindset towards their footy a more long-term mindset rather than the shortterm quick kills I think they've got plenty of quality to come back into this game some space on the right hand Edge this time a kick back over from Jacob gagy here's gray kon's not going to be able to Pace it with him and they're finishing with a flurry South Sydney and nice play out of their own end the South Sydney rabido using the football with ctii tupo he just l in with the right shoulder he created the space on the outside Harvey Norman replay you see here Dean Hawkins gets it out to katangi and you see tupo lean into him that created the space gagy goes down the right hand touch line nice little kick back on the inside and once Jo gray got the football there was no roosters in front of him Angus Kon he did well to charge and Chase back but J gray he was too fast Alana yeah was just a nice send off isn't it to the two boys leaving South Sydney a big moment with Tommy Burgess and his last try the fans loved it they've been out of their seats ever since so Hawkins with the kick gals come back to us to clarify that field goal Billy says it was 40 m out worth two points these days I I remember being closer closer to the 10 m line myself penth Park you'll see that tomorrow Saturday night py right here on 9 700 p.m. with Titans well plenty of to play for for penth they win they get a home final they lose they could be gone down to Melbourne the first week of the finals as we know the top four get a second chance but you want to give yourself the best opportunity in that first week especially playing at home fisha Harris playing his 200th game old boys day out there yes I'm reliably informed the plent of the old chocolate soldiers jumpers on show hang on hang on hang on B boys oh that's Dr Clay is it this is V oh V this big man on big man he looks like he's he's just picked up a head knock he knows big Tom Burgess and he just gets his head caught in the wrong spot trying to Dish it up to the old ball the young man on Deo oh just cops the right shoulder of Tom Burgess it's a heavy [Music] Collision he's played well to D LEL v he's had a great debut really strong come on just before half [Music] time there's the support cast it's quite a thrum of them as well so he's disappointed let's hope that that is an assist to the extent that we'll see Miss next week under the compulsory head knock go [Applause] one to Hawkins K Matangi gray gag guy now bouncers out of the contact and wrapped up by two b a long and arduous campaign for the famous South Sydney Club about to come to an end and there Focus shifts pretty quickly to 2025 with the master coach Bennett returning not R he's okay I think trying to drag a bit of time out of the clock so roosters better in the second half although I must admit I haded a few tries to roll through towards the end of this game five tries overall for South it hasn't been the the game that they've needed leading into the semi-finals but they'll hold their position on the ladder you continue to they got through this one I can wear a bit of this gamesmanship virtually UNSC continue to hold onate with the injuries they picked up last last round that was important toes he'll just take the tackle and finish the game The Roosters head into the semi-finals so job done the roosters bouncing back after really that Earth shattering afternoon at alian on Sunday gone it's a reworked roosters outfit and they have won the latest renewal of this battle between the roosters and the rabbits 3628