Shaky foundations: Why Roosters and Rabbitohs are causing NRL sleepless nights
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
When South Sydney took on the Roosters in consecutive weeks, to mark the start of the 2022 post-season and to end the regular one, it raised hopes that the foundation clubs could be on track to meet in a grand final for the first time in 88 years.
When NRL officials put their heads on pillows and dream of a better world, one in which collective bargaining agreements get signed and kiddies are kicking Steedens down Las Vegas Boulevard, this is what they fantasise about most.
It appeared, until recently, a distinct possibility. The Roosters began the season as premiership favourites, while the Rabbitohs led the ladder just seven short weeks ago. It may yet come to pass, providing an engaging season with a fitting finale and marking the first time the arch rivals meet in a decider since 1935.
However, there is a more plausible scenario, one that will keep NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARLC chair Peter V’landys up at night; a finals series without the Rabbitohs or the Roosters.
The Rabbitohs are in significantly less danger of missing out, given they are just two victories away from a share of top spot on the ladder. However, after losing four of their last five games, they face the prospect of dropping out of the top eight by the end of the weekend if they can’t upset the high-flying Warriors in New Zealand.
The Roosters have problems of their own. Sam Walker, Angus Crichton, Brandon Smith, Sitili Tupouniua, Egan Butcher, Connor Watson and Paul Momirovski are sidelined with injury, while few of the available troops are playing up to their pay cheques.
The foundation clubs have hit a concerning form slump.Credit: Getty
The Roosters – on paper perhaps the most potent team in the competition – are struggling to score points. The Rabbitohs, during their own recent slump, can’t defend them.
“Our defence was probably our biggest asset,” Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray said of the team’s strong start to the season.
“We know good footy teams are the best defensive teams and we know when we’re playing our best footy, we’ve got a defensive attitude. Obviously it hasn’t been where it needs to be, so it’s a massive focus for us.”
The Roosters, meanwhile, have only produced an average of 16.4 points per game this year, making theirs the worst attack in the NRL. It’s 10 points less per outing than the benchmark of between 25 and 26 points they’ve set since their premiership-winning 2019 season.
It seems that the harder the Roosters try to dig themselves out of their hole, the deeper it gets.
“We are where we are as a team and deserve to be where we are [on the ladder],” said Roosters playmaker Luke Keary. “You get what you deserve in this game. You go back and just keep working hard. Keep doing what you know works and stay together as a team.
“You can’t feel sorry for yourself or wonder why you’re in that position. You have to work your way out of it. I think we need to loosen the grip up a little bit. We put a lot of expectation and pressure on ourselves. We want to score points and we’re probably talking too much about that at the moment.”
Like the Roosters, the Rabbitohs have had large numbers in the casualty ward. Having seemingly overcome the hamstring injuries that have plagued him, Latrell Mitchell is now nursing a dodgy calf. It’s an injury serious enough to wipe the superstar fullback out of the entire State of Origin series and sideline him until at least round 21. Teammates Jai Arrow (ankle) and Jacob Host (suspension) won’t return before then either, while several Bunnies are carrying niggling injuries.
In the case of Blues hopeful Campbell Graham, he’ll need to needle a sternum injury for the rest of the year.
Cody Walker and co need to find their groove again.Credit: Getty
“I’ve done it for 17 rounds now,” Campbell said. “It’s just a part of it, you just have to put up with it as much as possible. You just go through the recovery process. It’s no different to boys that carry niggles throughout the year.”
The pain of missing the finals would be greater still. Souths coach Jason Demetriou admitted that was a very real possibility after the latest loss, a 31-6 capitulation to the Cowboys.
An unintended consequence of the side’s poor form is that it could count against several Rabbitohs aspiring to represent NSW in the Origin III. While Murray is a certain selection, a string of losses hasn’t helped the cases of Damien Cook, Cody Walker, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi and Graham.
“I always back my teammates and I’m their biggest advocate, I think there’s more than a few that have earned the right and deserve a spot in that team and the blue jersey,” Murray said.
“You can’t feel sorry for yourself or wonder why you’re in that position. You have to work your way out of it.”
The Roosters are notoriously slow starters, but usually time their run to the finals. They have left it late this time, but all is not lost. The NRL competition has seldom been more level; the Tricolours sit only one win behind the Rabbitohs, albeit their for-and-against is inferior.
“I’ve seen it before,” Keary said. “We were in a similar position last year with our attack. We ended up flipping it around and it doesn’t come together through talk, it comes through working hard and keeping the belief in each other.
“I think you can see a little bit of angst when you watch us play, we’re holding on a bit. And you can see teams give up – that’s definitely not the case with this team. A lot of us are probably trying too hard if anything at some points.”
The Roosters will face the Rabbitohs in the 27th and final round of the season. How much they will be playing for then depends on what happens next.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Most Viewed in Sport
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article