Why the Roosters are so frustrating: stupid penalties, basic errors and crucifying their season

Playing the New Zealand Warriors across the ditch is a tough assignment at the best of times. When you are down on troops and up against a lopsided penalty count, the task becomes close to impossible.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall makes a run at Ryan Hoffman of the Warriors during the round 15 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung, Getty Images.

Playing the New Zealand Warriors across the ditch is a tough assignment at the best of times. When you are down on troops and up against a lopsided penalty count, the task becomes close to impossible.

Let’s be honest, the Roosters were once again well below par. They had enough chances to win two football games yet once again butchered a golden opportunity. Stupid penalties and fundamental errors at crucial times have crucified them all season. It was one of the most frustrating games in recent times.

Despite the below par performance, it would be wrong to not analyse a few factors that didn’t help the tricolours’ cause.

First let’s talk about how the Roosters were treated in the penalty count. When the penalties are 10-3 in favour of the home team questions need to be asked.

Were the Roosters that much more ill disciplined than the Warriors? The simple answer would be yes, they were.

However, were the Warriors that much more disciplined than the Roosters? Keep in mind that the Warriors aren’t exactly known for being a disciplined team.

Kane Evans takes the Warriors head-on in the Roosters match at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung, Getty Images

Surely the Warriors were off-side, or held the player down, or were not straight at marker, or any other infringement, at least more than three times in 80 minutes. Clearly those with the whistle didn’t think they were.

There must be a perception that the Roosters have the least discipline of any club in the NRL, and by a big margin. It has become almost laughable for us fans. Complaining doesn’t seem to get anywhere. Lop-sided penalty counts just keep on happening.

There was also a clear penalty try that should have been awarded. The mind boggling part of this was that the Warriors player got 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul on the Roosters winger as he attempted to dive on the ball to score a try.

Why was a penalty try not awarded? Perhaps we could get a suitable explanation. We all know that won’t be happening.

Overall there can be no complaints about the spirited performance by the Chooks. With so much possession for the Warriors and all the decisions going their way, the Roosters had every right to have a similar scored racked up as the Storm did the previous week. To their credit they dug deep and did the colours proud.

The Roosters get a week off this weekend. They will need it after all the tackling they did in New Zealand.

Easts to win.