NRL Round 22 2024: Roosters win 40-34 over Dolphins
While the Roosters solidified their spot in the top four, the Dolphins finals hopes are hanging by a thread after a third straight loss in an 11-try extravaganza.
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Superstar rising halfback Sam Walker has led his Roosters side to a narrow win over the Dolphins in a 74 point thriller from HBF Park in Perth on Friday night.
The 22-year-old was everywhere in his side’s 40-34 victory which has kept the Roosters in third spot for the third straight week.
Walker’s first 20 minutes were nothing short of spectacular as the undersized dynamo scored two chip and chase tries, converted three from three conversions, had one line break, three tackle breaks and 111 kicking metres from four attempts.
“That is sensational stuff....Walker is putting on a clinic,” Michael Ennis said in the Fox League commentary box.
His efforts helped the Roosters to a 20-20 scoreline at halftime before continuing his impressive display in the second half and escaping with a much needed victory.
The star rising halfback, who is rumoured to be in talks to extend his contract with the club, finished with 24 points, two tries, six from six conversions, two penalty goals, 63 run metres, one line break, four tackles breaks and 244 kicking metres from 10 kicks.
DOLPHINS THEIR OWN WORST ENEMY
Despite scoring five tries of their own, the Dolphins were very poor in the opening half as they were on the wrong side of the stats sheet in almost every area against the Roosters.
They somewhat turned it around in the second 40 but at the end of the 80 minutes, they finished with 49 per cent possession, 77 per cent completion rate compared to 84, 10 less offloads, five more missed tackles and four more errors.
PLATH EARNS HIGH PRAISE
Max Plath has played less than 20 matches of NRL in his career but the 22-year-old is finally getting the recognition and credit he deserves.
From his 16 appearances in 2024, the first was off the bench, the following 11 were at starting lock and the past four have been at hooker as Jeremy Marshall-King remains on the sidelines with a foot injury.
With Kodi Nikorima ruled out of the match due to illness, Plath combined extremely well with his mobile forward pack and halves pairing of Sean O’Sullivan and Isaiya Katoa.
He created plenty of momentum for his side as he finished the match with a try, a try assist, 28 post contact metres, four tackle breaks, 36 tackles and two misses.
SUPER SUB SITILI
After entering the game from the bench and into the second row, Sitili Tupouniua was the simple centre replacement when Dom Young exited the field with a hamstring injury early in the second half.
The 27-year-old slotted in at centre in round 17, 18 and 19 before shifting back to the interchange bench last round against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Tupouniua took no time to adjust as he crossed the tryline twice in six minutes to kick the Roosters out to a 12 point lead.
He finished the match with two tries, 78 run metres, one line break, two tackle breaks, 14 tackles and three misses.
Questions also emerged whether or not former rugby union star and talented outside back, Mark Nawaqanitawase would be available for Roosters selection in the coming weeks after concluding his Rugby 7s duties at the Paris Olympic Games.
UGLY COLLISION HURTS ROOSTERS
A nasty, friendly fire head clash between Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley had both star forwards forced from the field after making a tackle in the opening 25 minutes.
Blood quickly poured from their faces with both players’ initial injuries classed as category 2 concussions.
Collins’ night was over but Radley was able to pass his assessment and returned to the field.
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Originally published as NRL Round 22 2024: Roosters win 40-34 over Dolphins
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