Roosters team of the decade: RTS, Maloney, Pearce miss cut
With three premierships and four minor premierships to their name, the Sydney Roosters have dominated the NRL in recent years. We’ve named the Roosters team of the decade with a host of stars missing out.
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The class of players who didn’t make this side further underlines the Sydney Roosters’ dominance over the past decade where they won three premierships and four minor premierships.
Roger Tuivasa-Scheck, James Maloney, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Mitchell Pearce, Luke O’Donnell, Braith Anasta, Isaac Liu and Blake Ferguson all missed spots in the side with the bulk of the team coming from the back-to-back premiership wins.
Club legend Anthony Minichiello is the only exception in the backline, with the 2013 premiership-winning captain bumped to the wing for the freakish fullback James Tedesco.
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The forward pack is a combination of power and skill from enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to the brilliance of Sonny Bill Williams. The bench has a couple of old faces in Sam Moa and Aidan Guerra and fearsome defender Dylan Napa gets a spot too while no Roosters’ team of the decade is complete without Mitchell Aubusson.
1. James Tedesco
The best player in the world. Already in the argument as the greatest Roosters fullback of all time along with Anthony Minichiello and Russell Fairfax. Speed, power and football smarts. Tedesco has it all.
2. Daniel Tupou
The three-time premiership winner is one of the best attacking weapons in the game and has been for some time. Has scored 91 tries in 160 games since making his debut in 2012.
3. Latrell Mitchell
All the skills in the world. Always delivered in big games for the Roosters as he did in helping set up the matchwinning try in the grand final against Canberra.
4. Joseph Manu
Manu has blossomed into something very special with his footwork, power and offloading ability making him one of the best centres in the world.
5. Anthony Minichiello
Champion player. Had to move him to the position where it all started way back for him but he was a must for this side. Speed and courage, he is a Roosters legend.
6. Luke Keary
The gift that keeps giving for the Roosters and their fans who love nothing more than to remind South Sydney of the monumental blunder made in letting this bloke go.
7. Cooper Cronk
An outrageous success in his two seasons at the club. Brought professionalism on and off the field and his combination with Luke Keary was something to behold.
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
A genuine enforcer who continues to strike fear into the opposition with his abrasive style. The fact the Roosters don’t win a lot of games without him speaks volumes.
9. Jake Friend
No competition here. A terrific leader, Friend has been a mainstay of the club for a long time. One of the best defensive hookers of the decade and has taken his game to another level in recent seasons.
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
Edged out Sam Moa for a starting spot on the back of two powerhouse seasons in winning back-to-back premierships. A nightmare for opposition defences with his footwork at the line.
11. Boyd Cordner
Already one of the Roosters’ greatest captains. Hard to believe he’s only 27, the NSW and Australian skipper is a lethal edge player with his committed line running and inspirational charges.
12. Sonny Bill Williams
Brought the Roosters back into the 2013 grand final with some magical plays. Was magnificent in his two seasons at the club and just shades Mitchell Aubusson for a starting spot.
13. Victor Radley
Gifted ball-player with a great football brain and one of the best hitters in the NRL. Plenty of terrific options for this team at lock but Radley has gone to the next level for the Chooks.
14. Mitchell Aubusson
Outstanding player whether he’s in the back-row or centres. One of the best hole runners in the game and his defensive display in covering for the injured Cooper Cronk in the 2018 grand final deserves its own 30 for 30-style documentary.
15. Dylan Napa
Etched in Roosters folklore for a couple of things - single-handedly beating up Souths in 2016 and partying in his footy gear, boots and all, for 24 hours plus after the 2018 premiership win.
16. Sam Moa
Should have won the Clive Churchill Medal in 2013. Hard-as-nails front-rower who formed a menacing combination with Waerea-Hargreaves.
17. Aidan Guerra
In his prime Guerra was a gun edge back-rower, particularly in 2013 when he ripped Newcastle apart scoring two tries to qualify for the grand final where he went on to score against Manly. Scored 42 tries in 156 games for the Bondi Junction club.
Originally published as Roosters team of the decade: RTS, Maloney, Pearce miss cut
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