Sydney Roosters defeated the Gold Coast Titans in Mackay

The Sydney Roosters returned to form in Mackay this weekend with a 28-point thumping of the Gold Coast Titans. Read both coaches’ thoughts post match.

MACKAY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 07: A general view is seen of spectators ahead of the round nine NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans at BB Print Stadium, on May 07, 2022, in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The people of Mackay were treated to a James Tedesco masterclass on Saturday night, with the NSW Origin captain able to celebrate the fourth hat trick of his illustrious career.

The Roosters would care very little with their performance in front of a crowd of 5527 at BB Print Stadium, marking a return to form following two disappointing losses to the Dragons and Bulldogs.

Despite a midgame scare which meant the Titans had to claw back the margin from 20 to eight points, the men in red, white and blue ran out the game strongly, winning 44-16 and sending a message to the rest of the competition in the process.

A crowd of 5527 filled BB Print Stadium on Saturday night (7 May) to watch Roosters defeat the Titans. . (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Final Scores

ROOSTERS – 44

Tries: Tedesco (3), Tupou (2), Suaalii (2), Taukeiaho

Goals: Walker (5/6), Momirovski (1/2)

TITANS – 16

Tries: Fermor, Lisone, Ese‘ese

Goals: Sexton (2/3)

Crowd: 5,527 at BB Print Stadium

James Tedesco, celebrating with teammates, (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was mostly pleased with his side’s performance post-match, despite the midgame lapse that put the Titans within striking distance.

Following their performances against the Bulldogs and Dragons, Robinson was looking for his players to attack with greater freedom, a request they delivered on.

“I thought we asked a lot of questions and for the most part I felt like our defence was quite good,” he said.

“I do feel like we made improvement today on how we wanted to approach the game and play the game.”

Despite the scoreboard dominance of the Roosters‘ backline, their hat-trick scoring captain James Tedesco pointed to the work done across the park.

“I‘m happy with my game. I think tonight was probably our best team performance and I was on the back of that,” Tedesco said.

“Our forwards laid the platform, I thought our halves took control and allowed me to just play my footy.”

Roosters hooker Sam Verrills sustained a fractured collarbone in the win, with Robinson declaring Connor Watson his most likely replacement.

Prop Lindsay Collins will have a nervous few days after a shoulder charge sin-binned him early in the contest.

Gold Coast Titans head coach Justin Holbrook was far from pleased with his side’s performance. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images).

Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook said there were not many positives to take from the match.

“We get the week right, we’re identifying it and doing all the right things and it’s clearly going wrong once we are out there,” he said.

“We were on the back foot from the start tonight… it’s really, really disappointing.”

Captain Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui echoed the sentiments of his coach.

“We’re just not working hard enough, I think all across the park,” he said.

“We take a step forward last week, even though we didn’t get the win there were improvements.

“But, this week we were very bad and there were no positives out of it.”

Pending the rest of the weekend’s results, the Roosters move into sixth position on the ladder, ahead of their heavyweight bout next week against the in-form Parramatta Eels.

The Titans move to 14th and will meet the St George Illawarra Dragons.

At this stage, the match will be Mackay’s only NRL fixture for season 2022 after hosting a string of games in season 2021 including two semi-finals.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters defeated the Gold Coast Titans in Mackay