‘Absolute chaos’: Sea Eagle horror show as two KO'ed in opening minute

The opening moments of the NRL semi-final between the Roosters and Sea Eagles have stunned after two players were forced from the field.

The Sydney Roosters have booked an NRL preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm next Friday night after a thumping 40-16 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday night.

In front of a capacity crowd at Allianz Stadium, both sides were primed to go hard, but a disastrous opening minute all but ruined the chances of the Sea Eagles.

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From the kickoff, the side lost last week’s elimination final hero Tolutau Koula with the first hit up.

The Roosters’ Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was running in from the back fence, with Koula getting caught in a bad position and catching the Roosters enforcer’s elbow and appearing to be knocked out.

On Fox League, Greg Alexander said: “What a blow for Manly, I don’t think he recovers from this. And he was down and out.”

On Channel 9, Andrew Johns said: “He got himself in an awkward position. Oh, he hits the floor after. Nothing illegal.”

Replays also showed the Roosters’ Sitili Tupouniua running straight over to the stricken Koula and called for referee Grant Atkins to stop the game.

It was just 12 seconds into the game.

Koula was in a bad way off the kick-off. Photo: Fox Sports

Roosters players rushed to Koula's aid. Photo: Fox Sports

Koula was ruled out of the match with category 1 concussion symptoms.

After Koula left the field, the very next tackle, Manly hardman Jake Trbojevic was left behind after being steamrolled by Lindsay Collins.

As he tried to get to his feet, a push from Connor Watson saw Trbojevic slump to the ground.

Fox’s Warren Smith said Trbojevic was “in all sorts of trouble here.

“This is one of the more incredible openings to a game than you’ve ever seen,” Smith said.

Steve Roach added: “I knew it was going to be brutal early, but not like this.”

Greg Alexander added: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jake Trbojevic like this. He’s so perfect with his tackling technique and he just got jammed up. I don’t see Jake returning either.”

Smith replied: “Have you ever seen anything like this?

“In 23 seconds Manly lost Tolu Koula and Jake Trbojevic. They have activated their 18th man Clayton Faulalo already.

“The most amazing first minute to a final I can remember.”

Fox sideline reporter Lara Pitt called “absolute chaos”.

Luckily for the Sea Eagles, Trbojevic was ruled a category 2, and went through the head injury assessment protocols, which he passed, allowing him to return to the game.

On Nine, Johns said: “Oh no, Jake’s gone.

However he also added: “That’s nowhere near as bad as Koula. Koula was out on the ground, he was out for 10-20 seconds.”

Trbojevic looked like he caught Collins' shoulder. Photo: Fox Sports

Trbojevic didn't look good. Photo: Fox Sports

Fans were stunned by the incredible opening to the match but others were questioning how Trbojevic was able to pass the protocols considering how wobbly he was.

Seven’s Jelisa Apps tweeted: “I want nothing more than to see Jake Trbojevic on the field but honestly let’s just give up on category 1. If that’s not showing symptoms (even slight) after a head knock than what is. Do it or don’t but don’t modify it for big games. Laughable.”

Zero Tackle editor Scott Pryde said: “Jake Trbojevic did not know what country he was in … How was that deemed Cat 2?”

WWOS’ The Mole posted: “That is a strong argument to banning kick-offs … Koula KO!”

Sports reporter Neil Evans commented: “Never seen a player ruled out after literally 10 seconds!”

“OMG head knocks to both Koula and Trbojevic in the first two touches of the game is crazy work,” one fan wrote.

Speaking after the match, Manly coach Anthony Seibold said “the start was surreal” as they lost two players in the first two tackles of the match.

“Probably what could go wrong went wrong tonight,” Seibold added.

Captain Daly Cherry-Evans said: “You just don’t ever plan for anything like that. I thought we did our best considering but ultimately that’s just not the start you need in a semi-final game.”

It was a tough way for the Sea Eagles to end the season. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images

After the horror start, it seemed like a matter of time before the Roosters got on the board with Victor Radley bursting over in the 11th minute.

James Tedesco scored in the 31st minute, giving the Roosters a 14-0 lead. A third try for Sandon Smith made it 20-0.

But just on the halftime break, Haumole Olakau’atu scored, latching onto a Cherry-Evans kick to make it 20-4 at halftime.

The Roosters ran up the score in the second half with Daniel Tupou scoring a minute into the second half as the Roosters oepned up a 34-4 lead before the Sea Eagles scored again.

The win means the top four teams from the regular season will fight it out for the two spots in the NRL Grand Final next week with the Storm hosting the Roosters on Friday before the Panthers face the Sharks at Accor Stadium on Saturday.

Originally published as ‘Absolute chaos’: Sea Eagle horror show as two KO'ed in opening minute