Resilient Roosters Unable to Overcome Rabbitohs

Australian Rugby League's longest-running rivalry began in appropriate circumstances as the two sides came together as the roar of the crowd radiated around the stadium in what was a tense atmosphere. 

The Bondi Wall was under early pressure with a fifth tackle penalty finding the Rabbitohs attacking the try line, but the ferocious defence from the Red, White and Blue was able to secure a seven-tackle set. 

Uncharacteristic errors on both sides of the ball saw Souths gain early ascendency, with Cameron Murray going over next to the posts to score after ten minutes following an intense start to the match. 

The Roosters looked to chance their arm and fired their first shot as a late offload from Siosiua Taukeiaho put Nat Butcher in the clear before a Sam Walker toe-poke forced a drop out soon after. 

Easts continue to absorb another wave of attack - but just as they looked to save points as a soaring Joseph Manu claimed an attacking bomb, their eagerness saw Souths swoop on a loose pass which saw Alex Johnston streaking away to score.

Not to be deterred, the Red, White and Blue answered back immediately as a sidestepping Manu put his captain through a yawning gap, with James Tedesco dotting down to put his side on the board with a trademark try. 

Sam Walker's conversion closed the deficit to six points after 25 minutes played. 

Trent Robinson's interchange troops added plenty of punch to the contest in the dying stages of the first half, with the likes of Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves providing starch through the middle of the field. 

Walker and Tedesco continued to trouble the opposition defence with their scheming running, and while the scoreline read 12-6 in favour of their opponents heading into the break, the Roosters held the momentum heading going into the second term. 

And the second half couldn't have started in better fashion as Walker pounced on a loose pass before Manu burst through the defence to score within the first minute on resumption - and despite the missed conversion, the Roosters were roaring back and just two behind. 

But once again it would be self-inflicted errors through ill-discipline that cruelled Easts, and an offside penalty invited the Rabbitohs back to score as Cody Walker dotted down - with the bunker overturning another potential try to Mitchell just moments later.

Absorbing pressure much like they did in the first half, the Roosters' patience paid off as Luke Keary opened up the defence, before a strong return from Billy Smith put Easts on the front foot.

Daniel Tupou poked his nose through the defence before a Captain's Challenge saw Joseph Manu awarded a penalty for being taken out in the air, but it was a missed opportunity as a lost ball was further compounded with a penalty to Souths. 

While the Bondi Wall held firm, the mounting pressure eventually saw the Rabbitohs claim a try through Keaon Koloamatangi - with the Roosters now needing to overcome a fourteen-point difference with as many minutes remaining. 

Luke Keary looked to inspire his side with a scything run on fifth tackle, but it was their opponents who sent a counterattack, with Mitchell scoring in the corner. 

Still with plenty of fight behind them heading into the final ten minutes, a forced drop-out led to Daniel Tupou touching down in the corner - and with the successful conversion, it was back to twelve points and still with plenty of time to go. 

Needing a trick-shot to come within a converted try, a flurry of passes saw the Red, White and Blue go from coast to coast, but an exciting end to the match saw the scoreline unchanged. 

The Sydney Roosters will travel to Townsville in Round 4 to take on the North Queensland Cowboys. 

Sydney Roosters 16 (James Tedesco, Joseph Manu, Daniel Tupou tries; Sam Walker 2 goals) def by South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 (Cameron Murray, Alex Johnston, Cody Walker, Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell tries; Latrell Mitchell 3 goals)