This is Our House: Roosters Begin Winning Ways at Allianz

 

Off the back of the NRLW side's historic win over St George Illawarra, the Tricolours ran out to a sold-out crowd, with the Allianz Stadium stands creating an electric colosseum-like atmosphere. 

Proceedings began with a massive collision between the two sides, with the Tricolours dragging back fullback Latrell Mitchell with fierce defence before a wayward tackle allowed the visitors to go downfield off the back of a penalty. 

Paul Momirovski shut down a threatening grubber on fifth tackle before a herculean effort dragged Mitchell behind the in-goal as momentum swung the way of the Roosters.

Angus Crichton then created history by scoring the first NRL try at the venue as he brushed past the defence off a Keary pass - with Sam Walker's conversion giving the side a handy 6-nil lead. 

The roll-on downfield continued, but over-enthusiasm in defence handed over easy territory, and although it seemed as though the Rabbitohs had hit back, an obstruction denied the visitors.

Easts got back into attacking range, and while they were unable to add to their tally,  a scything run from James Tedesco saw the Captain explode through the defence with his effort forcing another drop out.

With the ball failing to go ten metres from the kick, Tedesco opted for his side to go up by two as Walker slotted a penalty goal, bringing the lead to eight points after an intense opening.

Connor Watson added much-needed spark from the interchange as the Red, White and Blue continued their momentum before Crichton and Keary combined once more to send Tedesco over to score with the crowd in raptures.

The defence continued to muscle up and hold the red and green well behind the halfway mark, but an uncharacteristic error from Tedesco gave the Rabbitohs a chance to strike back with an unlucky bounce of the ball leading to their first try. 

The Chookpen faithful looked to fire up their side as the Easts chant went into full swing, and it wasn't long before the Roosters were back with the ascendency through another drop out thanks to the boot of Walker.

Joey Manu went inches from burrowing over from dummy half, before the young halfback dribbled the ball through to touch down himself and convert the try to bring the difference back to fourteen.

Momirovski shut down yet another raid on the left side just minutes from the break, and a clever read from Walker covered a kick from Mitchell as the Roosters headed to halftime in command with a 20-6 lead. 

Another big tackle on Mitchell to open the second stanza had the Tricolours syndicate on their feet as the defence continued to contain South Sydney's advances.

A dangerous tackle on Egan Butcher warranted a penalty, but the young forward proved to be just fine as he bulldozed over to slam the Steeden over just five minutes into the second half.

Easts continued to show fight in each carry with the ball and showed the same confidence in defence - however, the visitors touched down in the corner by mere millimetres to close the gap back to fourteen with half an hour remaining.

Both sides continued to batter one another through the middle of the park as an arm wrestle ensued, with neither opponent willing to let us with the final 20 minutes dawning.

An inside pass from Butcher sent Tedesco careening downfield once again, only for the final pass to find the ground, before the sides exchanged simple errors as fatigue crept in.

Over enthusiasm in defence once again gave away cheap territory, but the Bondi Wall continued to stand up and repel raid after raid, before a Captain's Challenge from Tedesco saw Keary impeded on a chase.

Crichton was held up over the line soon after but a string of penalties saw the Rabbitohs down a man as Mitchell was sent to the sin bin - but coincidentally, it was Souths who touched down in the corner following a long-range effort. 

The visitors looked to add to their tally soon after with another raid down the left, and while a desperate touch prevented a certain try in the corner, swarming defence landed the Roosters back in possession, solidifying the 26-16 victory. 

Sydney Roosters will host the South Sydney Rabbitohs once again next week in an elimination final at Allianz Stadium, with the winner progressing to the second week of the 2022 NRL finals series. 

Sydney Roosters 26 (Angus Crichton, James Tedesco, Sam Walker, Egan Butcher tries; Sam Walker 4 goals; Sam Walker penalty goal) def South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 (Taane Milne 2, Peter Mamouzelos tries; Latrell Mitchell 2 goals)