Roosters down Rabbitohs 12-4 to set up NRL grand final clash with Storm
COOPER Cronk’s injured left shoulder will carry the weight of Sydney after the halfback’s bravery inspired the Roosters to a title showdown with the Melbourne Storm.
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COOPER Cronk’s injured left shoulder will carry the weight of Sydney after the halfback’s bravery inspired the Roosters to a title showdown with the Melbourne Storm.
The Roosters money-man has just seven days to recover from the injury which left him unable to pass, kick or display any of his world-class authority during a second-half shut-out of arch-rivals South Sydney at Allianz Stadium.
Surviving a cheap-shot from Rabbitohs forward Junior Tatola, Cronk’s courage to remain on the field has kept his bid to deliver on the Roosters’ bold investment to sign the four-time premiership-winner from Melbourne on track.
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Incredibly, Cronk — if he recovers to face his former side — will become the first player to feature in eight grand finals in 44 years.
The TAB have installed Melbourne $1.85 favourites narrowly ahead of the Roosters ($1.95).
But almost certainly, this year’s premiership will depend on Cronk’s shoulder and Billy Slater’s impending judiciary hearing.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson conceded he was in the dark over his star halfback’s injury — admitting scans would reveal all.
“I saw what you saw,’’ Robinson said.
“All of the second half you could see that Luke (Keary) took over a lot there, which was pretty impressive from him.
“He’ll (Cronk) go and get scans tonight and we’ll know more — I’d say he’d be right to play next week, though.’’
Although the misfiring Rabbitohs were unsuccessful in targeting their attack at a clearly-damaged Cronk, Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner praised his halfback’s guile and courage.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from Cooper,’’ Cordner said.
“Everyone that has played with him knows that he’s one tough guy and he would do anything to try and get the win and that showed tonight.’’
Defensively brilliant, the gutsy Roosters must also navigate past the match review committee who will analyse a first-half lifting tackle on Souths leader Greg Inglis by Jake Friend.
Friend has the benefit of possessing no carry-over points.
The Roosters’ stress surrounding the availability of Cronk and possibly Friend will be countered by the return from suspension of big guns Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Napa.
Robinson praised Napa’s focus to be ready for Sunday’s grand final.
“Every time we walk in there he’s (Napa) in the gym working hard,’’ Robinson said.
“He hasn’t stood by waiting and twiddling his thumbs, he’s worked hard and he’s made the most of it.’’
Mitchell’s return will be massive for the Roosters, and will also elevate their goal-kicking calamity after Blake Ferguson and Sio Siua Taukeiaho missed all four conversion.
Robinson declined to give his opinion on Slater’s shoulder charge.
Instead, he said his week-long focus would centre on attempting to overcome a Storm outfit, which has won five of the past six encounters between the two sides.
“Teams don’t change too much at this time of year, you have had to have put it on the park all year,’’ Robinson said.
“I think we know what to expect from the Storm. My focus will be readying for that, but also getting the best out of us.
“There’s a cog or two to go, for us.’’
In rugby league’s final act at Allianz Stadium before it is demolished, the Roosters’ absorbing win over a Souths side that misfired in attack ensures the two best team’s of 2018 will battle for the NRL’s ultimate prize.
Friend’s awkward tackle on Inglis in the 13th minute allowed Adam Reynolds to boot an early penalty goal — but their 2-0 advantage didn’t last long with the sublime hands of James Tedesco putting Daniel Tupou over for a 4-2 lead.
Enjoying 52 per cent of the possession in the first half, the Rabbitohs levelled the scoreboard 4-4 all again through Reynolds in the 26th minute.
It would be the last time the Rabbitohs troubled the scorers.
Sheer power and strength, first from Joseph Manu and then Blake Ferguson to score, lifted the Roosters to a valuable 8-4 lead.
But it was the rookie Paul Momirovski — called into the side on the urging’s of Cordner — who scored the Roosters matchwinning try.
Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold said he felt disappointed that in the club’s biggest game of the year they produced a shell of themselves in attack.
“We weren’t the best version of ourselves tonight,’’ Seibold said.
“We wanted to be in a grand final next week, so we’re really disappointed.
‘We were a bit off in our execution and the Roosters deserved to win.’’
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 12 (B Ferguson P Momirovski D Tupou tries) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 4 (A Reynolds 2 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 44,380