Tedesco, Morris grab hat-tricks but Jake Friend injury sours sweet taste of victory
The Roosters thrashed Manly to open the 2021 season, but the victory was soured by a potentially career-threatening injury to one star.
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It took just three minutes to remind the rugby league world that James Tedesco is the game’s premier player as the Roosters sent a clear statement of intent to premiership rivals following a record 46-4 thumping of Manly at the SCG.
Tedesco finished with three tries and two assists to bankroll the Roosters’ first win in a season opener in four years.
Ageless winger Brett Morris also got in on the act, scoring his 11th career hat-trick.
It’s the Sea Eagles’ worst start to a season, eclipsing the 44-10 loss to Brisbane in the Broncos’ first-ever premiership game in 1988, and the Roosters’ biggest first round win in their 113-year history.
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Tedesco claimed the first of his three tries with his first touch of the ball, soaring above Manly winger Reuben Garrick to grab a Luke Keary bomb and give the Roosters an early lead just 180 seconds into the game.
The champion No. 1 scored his second try soon and added a third early in the second half to secure his third career hat-trick.
Tedesco was simply a cut above every other player on the field.
The win sent the strongest of messages the Roosters’ finals fade out last year was an aberration.
The 2018-19 premiers were stewing all summer after their hopes of a three-peat title defence came to an end at the hands of Canberra in week two of last year’s play-offs.
They spoke all off-season about the need to get off to a good start after a sluggish opening to 2020 and delivered with interest.
They were simply too strong, too skilful, too slick and for a completely outclassed Manly side.
JWH STRIKES AGAIN
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is no stranger to those at the NRL match review committee and could be in hot water again after being reported for striking Manly forward Curtis Sironen.
It’s the 18th time JWH has been reported but there didn’t appear to be too much in this latest altercation.
The Roosters were also left with concerns over skipper Jake Friend, who was taken from the field after suffering a heavy knock tackling Andrew Davey.
It’s the latest in a worrying series of concussions for the tough No.9.
Asked how concerned he was about Friend’s playing career, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: “I’m concerned that he came off the field. I’ve seen him for two minutes and I’m not a doctor so I think making a big statement like that…that’s not for five minutes after a game.
“It’s a concussion - it’s not what we wanted for him in the first round – but we will get on with the protocols and see where he’s at.”
Halfback Luke Keary came from the field late due to extreme cramping.
Interchange back Adam Keighran dislocated his wrist and was taken to hospital for X-rays.
Foran finished the game with a leg cork.
TEDDY STILL THE UNDISPUTED KING
After watching Ryan Papenhuyzen tear South Sydney apart in the season opener and hearing how the Melbourne No. 1 is coming for his crown, Tedesco’s response was immediate and potent.
He tortured Manly from minute one to 80.
Keary launched a pinpoint accurate bomb for Tedesco to score his first, the fullback pursuing Manly winger Reuben Garrick, who stood under the ball as if his boots were stuck in cement.
The Roosters superstar effortlessly snatched the ball and planted the ball down to give the Roosters a 4-0 lead after just three minutes.
“He (Tedesco) would have seen Papenhuyzen’s game and he’s come out and make a real statement,” former Broncos skipper Corey Parker said.
Tedesco did it all himself in the 26th minute, stepping past three defenders to score next to the posts.
He showed his brilliance without the ball soon after, shepherding a Daly Cherry-Evans kick over the deadball line to give his side a 20m seven tackle restart.
That possession eventually led to a try to Brett Morris and a 20-4 lead to the Chooks, with Tedesco playing a key role in the four-pointer.
He capped a stunning performance with his third try in the second half to give the Roosters an unassailable 30-4 lead.
NO HAPPY RETURNS FOR FOZ
Manly life member Peter Peters created a storm on the northern beaches this week when he predicted the Sea Eagles could finish last for the first time in their history.
There was plenty to suggest after just one game that Zorba might not be too far off the money.
Manly was as bad as the Roosters were good.
The lack of intent and physicality was embarrassing at times.
Seven of the Chooks’ nine tries were scored down Manly’s feeble left-hand side.
It was the club’s heaviest defeat since 2005 and coach Des Hasler’s fourth biggest loss.
The veteran coach was clearly stunned and upset at what he witnessed.
“What’s probably disappointing about it is it’s the first game of the year (and) you expect a better result and a better performance,” Hasler said.
“Defensively across the park we need to be better than that. We missed too many tackles.
“I feel sorry for the fans. We need to give a better account of ourselves individually and for the club and the fans.
“And we need to make that pretty quickly.”
Kieran Foran’s first game for Manly since 2015 wasn’t one to remember.
Back alongside old partner-in-crime Daly Cherry-Evans, the Kiwi international helped set-up Manly’s only try but otherwise was unable to make a major impact.
It’s clear the Foran-DCE chemistry wasn’t quite there and will take some time to return - if it does at all.
Manly came into the game on the back of a 52-18 trial loss to Wests Tigers and this performance won’t do anything to dissolve pessimism among fans.
It doesn’t get any easier next week, with the Sea Eagles taking on South Sydney.
KEARY MAKES IT CLEAR WHO RUNS THE CHOOKS
Luke Keary has declared he is no Cooper Cronk despite producing a performance reminiscent of the champion No.7 in his first full game as a half-back.
A three-time premiership winning five-eighth, Keary admitted his teammates were calling him “Cronk” after he put on the No.7 jersey for the first time in his career.
But the Clive Churchill medal would not compare himself to the retired legend even after producing a playmaking masterclass to lead the Roosters to their biggest ever season starting victory.
“It was a bit weird to walk in and find the No.7 there,” Keary said.
“I guess I felt like a bit of a nerd putting it on. But no it was good. I think when you are younger you buy into what jersey you are wearing but it doesn’t really matter for me.”
While the number might not matter, Keary does in fact have a new role with the star playmaker officially switched from the left side of the field to the right, even though he seemed to be absolutely everywhere as he terrorised the Sea Eagles with a complete playmaking package.
Having been best known as an attacking whiz that largely struck on the left edge during his six years with the Roosters, Keary stalked every blade of grass at the SCG as he pointed, prodded and pushed his fellow players across the park.
“I feel really comfortable on the right,” Keary said.
“But I am not going to just stand on one side. I am not going to stand there and just kick the ball. I am going to play my normal game and pop up whenever there is an opportunity.”
After bombing out in a final’s performance that cost Kyle Flanagan his Roosters career, Keary took just three minutes to prove the Roosters would once again be NRL heavyweights when he kicked for James Tedesco to score the first try.
Playing all over the park in a roam anywhere and everywhere role that saw new partner Lachlan Lam take a back seat, Keary was at it again when he put Tupouniua over to make it two try-assists in 20 minutes.
Keary green-lit Lam as his new halves partner.
“I am so impressed with him,” Keary said.
“He has waited a long time and he has worked really hard. He is such a good kid and I am stoked to get the opportunity. I can’t wait to play with him for the rest of the year.”
Keary left the field late in the match but declared he was in no danger of missing next week’s clash.
“I just had cramps,” Keary said.
“I’ll be right. Everything is sweet.”
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