Injuries, JWH report sour Roosters’ 20-12 win over Bulldogs

With six rounds of the regular season remaining the last thing the Roosters need is serious injuries or suspensions but coach Trent Robinson might have to contend with both.

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Jared Waerea-Hargreaves could be in more strife after the Sydney Roosters’ enforcer was placed on report for a late high shot on young Canterbury playmaker Jack Cogger.

The incident along with injuries to skipper Boyd Cordner and Siosiua Taukeiaho took the gloss of the Roosters’ 20-12 win over Canterbury that kept the reigning premiers third on the NRL ladder.

After escaping suspension for a recent incident involving North Queensland firebrand Josh McGuire that followed an earlier ban for a dangerous tackle on Kalyn Ponga, Waerea-Hargreaves connected with Cogger late in the match at ANZ Stadium and it didn’t look great.

While Robinson didn’t appear overly concerned about the calf injuries suffered by Cordner and Taukeiaho, they could also be looking at a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

Losing Waerea-Hargreaves on top of that would not be ideal given the Roosters are also without co-captain Jake Friend who had a plate inserted in his arm last week while Nat Butcher missed Sunday’s game after Robinson confirmed he had played a month of football with a broken rib.

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Boyd Cordner faces time out with a calf injury. Picture: Getty Images

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“HUNGRY” ROOSTERS

It was hardly the reigning premiers’ most impressive performance this season with the Bulldogs actually outscoring their opponents in the second half after trailing 14-0 at half-time.

James Tedesco had another busy game, clocking up 204m that included a try and a try assist, while Waerea-Hargreaves led the way up front along with Cordner.

With six rounds of the regular season remaining most were expecting the Roosters to continue on from their second half demolition the previous week against Newcastle but it never eventuated.

Instead, the Roosters just couldn’t put the tenacious Bulldogs away, not that Robinson was too worried about where they are right now.

“I know we are in a good spot,” Robinson said.

“I know we are in a hungry position. If you want to look at what is important, that is the first thing. You want to be hungry.

“Do I want to see that first half again? Yes. Do I want to see a better second half? Yes.

“I thought our second half last week was how we want to do it. We didn’t quite do it this week. I know I am seeing the right attitudes.”

James Tedesco had a busy day for the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

DOGS SHOW FIGHT

It says something about the character Dean Pay has instilled in his players that this late in the season a team without any hope of playing finals football can come back after trailing and outscore the competition favourites despite their No 1 playmaker Kieran Foran sitting on the sidelines.

Reimis Smith finished with a double to take his season tally to 10 tries, but overall it was the effort and refusal to go away that was most impressive.

Pay said Foran (hamstring) should be back for this Saturday’s clash with Penrith.

“It was a really promising second half, I mean we won 12-6,” Pay said. “We kept turning up and we kept putting ourselves in the contest.”

Reimis Smith scored two tries for the Bulldogs. Picture: AAP

BMOZ GETS REVENGE

Brett Morris would hardly be regretting the Bulldogs’ decision to cut him loose after adding to his try tally against his former club.

The former international lined up against the Bulldogs for the first time this season after missing the round 14 clash due to injury.

Morris was a late call up to start after Ryan Hall dislocated his knee cap in a wrestling session during the week.

The injury was not on the same knee that Hall underwent a recent knee reconstruction on, but he is expected to be sidelined for another two weeks.

Morris celebrated with a second half try that took his career tally to 149 tries. He should become just the 12th player to notch 150 tries.

Brett Morris celebrates with teammates after scoring a try for the Roosters. Picture: AAP

NAPA IN STRIFE

Dylan Napa didn’t have a memorable day out against his former club and it could get worse with the big prop also placed on report for a needless late shot on Victor Radley.

Given the NRL’s recent crackdown, Napa should expect a charge today.

Renouf To’omaga was also put on report for a nasty looking crusher tackle on Sitili Tupouniua.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS 20 (J Manu B Morris J Tedesco tries L Mitchell 4 goals) bt CANTERBURY 12 (R Smith 2 tries N Meaney 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Adam Gee, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 10,586