NRL 2022, round 2: Sam Walker stars as Roosters defeat Sea Eagles, Radley avoids suspension
After an abject round one performance many wrote the Roosters off, after playing a key role in the demolition of the Sea Eagles in round two, Sam Walker explains why that was a mistake.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Josh McGuire infamously said “losers have meetings, winners have parties” after a State of Origin match back in 2016. But it turns out a simple meeting can be the spark to turn a losing start into an eye-catching win.
The Roosters looked at sea in their first-round loss. The new halves combination of Luke Keary and Sam Walker was clunky and it showed as they failed to register a single line-break against the Knights.
But that performance was quickly forgotten on Friday as the Chooks let loose in the first half, racing out to a 22-0 lead at the break to send a warning shot to anyone who was foolish enough to question their premiership credentials based on one game.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
“We had a bit of time to reflect on last week, and we were pretty disappointed in our performance and the connection we had, so we spent a bit of time as a spine working on that connection and building that,” five-eighth Sam Walker said.
“We put a good foundation together and we can only go up from there.”
It’s hard to believe that Walker is still 19 and coming off an incredible season that saw him deliver more than anyone could have expected in very difficult conditions.
Being away from home and playing in a team ravaged by injuries, Walker played like a seasoned pro as he carried the wounded Roosters into the finals. But he’s got Keary to help him now, and it’s a partnership that will only improve over time.
“We didn’t get much of a pre-season to work together with everything that’s been going on in the world at the moment,” he said of the blossoming combination.
Sam Walker is in a MOOOOD! 👀#NRLRoostersManlypic.twitter.com/PFdx3d1NEK
— NRL (@NRL) March 18, 2022
“We really sat down this week and spoke about what we wanted from each other, and we could see that foundation getting built today. We know that we have a lot to work on together, but it was awesome to have him there controlling the team. I was able to play off the back of him a lot.
“‘Kez’ being back, he has a lot of experience in big games. He really took leadership as one of our captains, and he owned that. He said that was one of his roles and he really controlled our team and steered the ship for us today.”
In the space of six days, Walker went from a youngster playing behind a beaten pack to a man who was ready to make the big plays against a team boasting stars like Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans.
It took him just two minutes to step through the defence to set up Drew Hutchison for the opening try, and he regularly chimed in with key plays in attack.
It’s a role he’s happy to play with Keary back to take the lead, but learning when to inject himself into the play is something he’s still getting used to.
“We didn’t get too much time in the pre-season to work together too much, and I think that showed in the first game,” he said.
“He’s an outstanding footballer, and he really took ownership this week which allowed me to play my natural game. When he’s controlling the team and playing like he did tonight, it makes mine and the rest of the team’s job really easy.
“I’ve got to pick my moments when to inject myself in the game, but I’m still a half so I need to control the team as well. I think we’re still trying to find that balance, but it’s only Round 2. You don’t win grand finals in round 2. We’ll only get better from here.”
One of the most noticeable changes for Walker is the number on his back. He wore the 7 for the first 18 games of his career, but he’s now in the 6. If age is just a number for the 19-year-old, then a different jersey must be child’s play.
“Nothing really,” he replied when asked what the number meant.
“I’m still a half. It’s just a number. Kez being the older half, he’s really taken on the leadership which allows me to be able to play a bit more of a natural instincts sort of game.
“I’m really looking forward to that because that’s how I’ve grown up.”
So the Roosters are back after being Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles, and next up is a monumental showdown with Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs. This is huge, right?
“My focus isn’t on who I’m playing against,” Walker calmly said. “My focus is to win grand finals, and that’s what I want to do here.”
RADLEY AVOIDS SUSPENSION
Sydney Roosters star Victor Radley has avoided a charge after being cleared of a high tackle in Friday’s NRL win over Manly.
Radley was put on report for a high shot on Sea Eagles veteran Kieran Foran midway through the second half at the SCG.
But the Roosters lock escaped any sanction and will instead be free to play in next Friday’s grudge match against South Sydney.
A guilty verdict for Radley would normally result in a lengthy suspension given his lengthy rap sheet with the match review committee.
However every player in the league starts with a clean sheet this season due to changes in the judiciary system implemented at the start of the year.
St George Illarra prop George Burgess is the only player to have drawn a charge from Friday night’s game following his attack on Penrith star Jarome Luai.
Burgess was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact for catching Luai with a stray elbow when pressuring Luai on a kick.
It is the first offence for the former Rabbitohs prop, who will pay a maximum $1500 fine and be available for next week’s clash against Cronulla.
MATCH REPORT: RAZZLE DAZZLE ROOSTERS LEAVE SEA EAGLES IN A HOLE
An electrifying display by Sam Walker and a thunderous performance by Sitili Tupouniua helped the Roosters storm back into form with a crushing 26-12 win over the Sea Eagles before a tempest tormented the SCG.
Thunderbolts and lightning rained down on Sydney but the most frightening thing for the rest of the comp is just how easily the Roosters picked apart a team that is supposed to be a genuine premiership contender.
Just a week ago people were questioning Trent Robinson’s side after they were held to one try and couldn’t break the line once against the Knights.
But they racked up six line-breaks in an amazing first-half display to race out to a 22-0 lead against a Sea Eagles side that hoped the game would be called off when a massive storm rolled in just before the break.
“I thought our defensive pressure improved and the combinations and communication between the spine improved,” Robinson said.
WALKER’S ON
Sam Walker failed to fire a shot last week in his first game with Luke Keary, but the teenage sensation bounced back in ominous fashion on Friday night.
It took him just two minutes to lay on the opening try when he put on a massive left foot step to slice through before he linked up with Drew Hutchison to send the veteran over untouched.
Walker played a role in their second try when Daniel Tupou crashed over in the left corner, and he nearly set up the try of the year with a deft kick in traffic that would have capped off some incredible offloading that saw the ball go through nine sets of hands.
SUPER SITILI
Angus Crichton is the best back-rower at the Roosters, but Sitili Tupouniua is a fine number two when he’s given the space to run amok.
Playing on the left edge for the second week in a row, Tupouniua terrorised Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau’atu with one of the best performances of his young career.
He scored untouched off a lovely Keary pass just moments after he skittled several defenders with a destructive run to put his side on the attack.
He was forced off for an HIA early in the second half, but he shapes as a serious weapon in attack for a team that boasts plenty of big guns.
MIDDLE MEN GO MISSING
Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic is coming off one of the greatest individual seasons of all time, but he has no chance of replicating that if his forwards fail to lay a platform.
Manly’s middles were destroyed by Penrith in Round 1 and it wasn’t much better on Friday as they struggled to make many metres in a game that turned into a grinding affair once the rain hit.
Only two forwards ran for more than 100 metres and that’s why Turbo never saw the space that allows him to dictate terms.
Cherry-Evans was busy on the right edge but was a little bit too eager to kick early in the sets. This is a team that needs Josh Schuster back to offer a point of difference in attack.
“We certainly can’t let it build, all this talk and noise around our expectations and us being no wins from two games,” Cherry-Evans said as his side looks to avoid a similar start to last year. “Our destiny is in our hands again but we need to make sure we don’t leave it too late.”
FEATHERS RUFFLED
As good as they were in the first half, the Roosters have a few concerns after things fell apart after the break.
Victor Radley is on report for the second time in two games for a high shot on Kieran Foran, Tupouniua failed his HIA, Connor Watson came off with a shoulder injury and there were fears star centre Joseph Manu had suffered a serious leg injury.
Manu stayed down after he was caught in an awkward tackle but managed to play on in a good sign he’ll be right to go for next week’s grudge match against Latrell Mitchell given what happened the last time they met.
“He looked okay,” Robinson said of Manu. “He had ice on it, but I’m not sure exactly what was wrong with it.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2022, round 2: Sam Walker stars as Roosters defeat Sea Eagles, Radley avoids suspension
Broncos bombshell as Walters secret drops
Kevin Walters has corrected a rumour that was spread during his tumultuous departure from the Broncos after a year of misery.
SuperCoach trial scores, wrap: The cheapies who fired and faltered
Week one of the Pre-Season Challenge is done and won with a number of young guns proving their SuperCoach worth, but even more falling flat.