2 Minute Read
James Tedesco has bounced back from a disappointing State of Origin performance to guide the Sydney Roosters to a 25-24 win over Canterbury that breathes life into his side’s NRL season.
The Roosters and the Bulldogs went blow-for-blow at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday and it was Origin players from both teams who stood out.
After playing catch-up all game after dropping two tries early, the Roosters finally took the lead thanks to a Luke Keary field goal in the 74th minute.
But the afternoon belonged to Tedesco, who helped the Roosters hold off stiff challenges from his NSW teammates Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Jr.
Tedesco’s form has been under fire this year for the first time in his decorated career but the captain answered the Roosters’ distress call, helping halt a three-game losing streak with a first-half double and a try assist.
Keary scooted past Max King and Karl Oloapu and passed off to Tedesco, who had a second try when a flying Corey Allan kicked inside five minutes later.
Tedesco could have had a first-half hat trick but for an obstruction before setting up the third try up when he burst through the middle on a line break after half-time.
Pangai had a point to prove after an underwhelming match in his surprise State of Origin debut and set the tone for the visitors by pouncing on a Matt Burton grubberkick for the afternoon’s first try.
He finished with a team-high 191 run metres.
Addo-Carr was the Bulldogs’ best, first dashing away on the line break that gave the Bulldogs their second try.
He kept the Bulldogs in the fight in the second half, capitalising on Trent Robinson’s decision to shift Joseph Suaali’i to the wing.
Addo-Carr twice beat the Wallaby-in-waiting for second-half tries, the first of which came after he dashed 80 metres down the left flank on a scrum play.
The Roosters again equalised at 24-24 after a controversial try from Suaalii, who went over untouched on the right side while Bulldogs centre Paul Alamoti reeled on the ground with what appeared concussion symptoms.
Keary sealed a desperately needed win with his field goal that keeps the Roosters in touch with the top eight.
Canterbury captain Reed Mahoney will miss next week’s clash against traditional rivals Parramatta after failing his head injury assessment just before half-time.