The Raiders have held on to a quick Roosters team defeat 22-16 at home at GIO Stadium.
The Roosters seemed to have climbed the board first only to resolve an obstruction, opening the door for the Raiders to score the first points just four minutes later through Adam Elliott.
The tricolors bounced back through Sitili Tupouniua, who finally got his try after being denied earlier, but the locals made two attempts to jump to an 18-6.
After an awkward first 60 minutes, the Roosters finally got started and scored two tries in four minutes.
But the Raiders sealed the victory with a crucial try in the 70th minute.
MATCH CENTER: Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters teams, live results
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GREAT SUCCESSES
“EXCEPTIONAL” RAIDERS DEFEND DIFFERENCE
The Raiders got a disgusting victory in the back of a strong line-up defense described as “exceptional” by Fox League commentators.
Trent Robinson’s team had several sets in the half hoping to regain points with the Raiders’ 12-6 lead.
But every time they tried to break the line, a Canberra defender was in place to thwart the attack, swarming winger Kevin Naqaima twice into space.
“The Raiders who really stimulated the fans, the spirit that was shown there was exceptional,” said Andrew Voss, a Fox League commentator.
“Defending his try line, that was brilliant, two complete sets on his line … the fighting defense on his right side has been amazing and brilliant entries throughout this pass,” he said. Fox League expert Michael Ennis.
In the first half, the Raiders made 13 more tackles than their opponents, while losing six less.
Then, in the second half, a frantic defensive set won the game with the last entry, while the young gunner Joseph Suaalii charged down the sideline, desperately approaching to score.
“Canberra defenders, a wall of lime stops Suaalii on the corner, the Canberra Raiders have done it,” Andrew Voss said.
“I’ve been criticized so many times for not finishing, they’ve done it today.”
In all, the Raiders made 329 tackles, 25 more than the Roosters in a great defensive effort to win the game.
SAVAGE STUNS ON FULLBACK
Xavier Savage is doing his best to cling to the No. 1 jersey when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns from a hamstring injury in round 18.
Savage went sideways in round 12 and hit a solid 186 meters running. He backed it up over the weekend starring in the Raiders ’victory over the Roosters.
The 20-year-old had an absolute field day in the first half, running 121 meters and getting a discharge and a line jump to go with his impressive rehearsal.
The rehearsal took place after he somehow caught a pass that landed on his boots to cross and give his team an advantage.
“What do the judges think of this collection? It’s a perfect 10 for Xavier Savage,” said Andrew Voss, a Fox League commentator.
“We have great young players in our game. There are others that excite me so much, but no one excites me more than Savage.
“It’s just as exciting as any young player in the game. You’ll find others like Reece Walsh and Joseph Suaalii, but I don’t think there’s more to it than meets the eye.
“He teased us last year before the injury. He’s been blessed with incredible speed and you’ve seen the skill set there.”
Michael Ennis was equally impressed, calling the Savage pickup a “class of brilliance.”
“The boy is a star and it was a great skill on the part of Xavier Savage, who has started this game a lot,” said Ennis.
“He has a great speed, but his work ethic today, he is already 111 meters running … he has made things difficult.
“The first executions of his half, helping his forwards, we all know he has that factor x and that was right there. When his time came, he delivered.”
Savage finished the game with a try, 172 running yards, three fouls, a line break and a download.
MANU GOES “TEST THE HEART” BUT THE “FRANTIC” ROOSTERS GO DOWN
Bow Joey Manu.
The 25-year-old was the hardest worker on the field, but unfortunately it was not enough to lead his side to victory.
With James Tedesco on the field with the Blues, Manu moved to the side, a position in which he always cut himself.
As expected, he was very involved, finishing with 15 impressive wrecks, six downloads, a try assist and a line break assist to go with his 254 yards in 31 runs, the most runs of all the times, recorded for the Roosters. .
Fox League commentator Andrew Voss praised the Roosters star’s efforts, saying he had “tested his heart”.
But no matter how hard Manu tried, it wasn’t enough to make up for the Roosters’ awkward attack in the first 60 minutes of the game.
According to commentator Andrew Voss, the Roosters shot themselves in the foot several times during the first half with “non-rooster-like moments,” while Michael Ennis believes they looked “frantic.”
“The attack of the roosters right now, they’re just struggling to find some cohesion. They look a little frantic, bouncing from side to side and it’s hard what their plan is right now,” Ennis said.
“The attack of the Roosters has been very disappointing in this first part, their leaders, their options, everything is frantic. Roosters just can’t do well … They need a little more cohesion.
“His attack has not been smooth, James Tedesco is missing, there is no doubt. No matter how good Manu has been, they’ve missed out once, usually where Manu is. “
EQUIPMENT
Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 17. Trey Mooney 18. James Schiller. Substitute: 19. Harry Rushton
Roosters: 1. Joseph Manu 2. Billy Smith 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua Butcher 14 .Connor Watson 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May 19th. Daniel Suluka-Fifita. Substitute: 18. Lachlan Lam
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