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NRL News - by Craig Hill

Eels Defeat Roosters In Trial

February 28th 2009 13:28
Parramatta's Jarrad Hayne won the battle of the converted five-eighths with a two-try display in the Eels 30-24 NRL trial victory against the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday night.

Hayne put in his best display yet in the No.6 shirt , crossing the line twice and setting up another as the Eels outmuscled the Roosters to make it three wins from three this pre-season.

The Roosters had their own makeshift five-eighth with Setaimata Sa making his first trial appearance in the No.6 jersey in a largely ineffectual display.

Sa spent most of his time occupying a wide position on the Roosters' right-hand side as former five-eighth and now lock Braith Anasta did most of the second receiver's work in attack.

The Eels didn't look like winners when Roosters pair Sam Perrett and Mitch Aubusson both crossed the line in the opening ten minutes but from that point it was almost all Parramatta.

A try late in the half to Tim Mannah made the scores 10-6 at the break.

The second-half was the Hayne show, with the former NSW winger breaking clear and scoring under the posts two minutes into the second term to give the Eels the lead.

Fijian rising star Sisa Waqa gave the Roosters hope of a fightback when he broke clear to send Aubusson in for his second midway through the term.

But within minutes Hayne had capitalised on a Roosters handling error to double his tally and put the Eels back in front.

Krisnan Inu extended Parramatta's lead to ten shortly afterwards before Hayne sent Luke Burt into the clear to seal the points.

Orange product Ben Jones chimed in with a late intercept try but the Eels were never going to be headed despite Perrett adding his second with the last play of the match.

Eels coach Daniel Anderson said he had been impressed by Hayne's display.

"I thought he was very good tonight," Anderson said.

"I thought he defended very stoutly, he was opportunistic with his try, half-breaks and breaks.

"I thought he kicked okay, you know, there were a lot of positives about his game.

"He'll grow in confidence as he settles. He has got better each game.

"I think he's learning to talk, learning when to inject himself. It's a unique position, a stand-off like him.

"He's exciting and I enjoy watching him.

"There's going to be some errors around him and there's going to be some diamonds around him too, we need him to get the balance so it's steadily weighed in the diamonds."

Anderson added he was pleased to win all of his pre-season matches but urged fans to keep the results in perspective.

"It's solid. Nothing fantastic, but certainly nothing poor," he said.

"That's probably the best thing ... I really can't give you a list of negatives.

"All I've got is positives and actions and behaviours from players that are all positive."

AAP

Parramatta Eels Logo


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Roosters Defeat Tigers In Trial

February 21st 2009 22:18
Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello showed signs his three years of injury torment are in the past with a starring role in his side's 16-12 Foundation Cup NRL trial victory over the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Minichiello was a clear stand-out in the wet and greasy conditions at the Sydney Football Stadium, setting up one try and scoring another himself before sitting out the final half hour of play.

The former Test custodian, who has played just 25 games in three years due to spinal injuries, showed glimpses of his best by barging over Tigers halfback Benji Marshall to score in the 51st minute for a 16-6 lead.

Minichiello was also in the thick of the action when he set up a 70m try to Mitchell Pearce in the final minute of the first half.

However, replays showed Pearce grounded the ball well short of the tryline.

But as it is only a trial match, the referee could not send the decision for video review and awarded the try himself.

The Tigers appeared the better team late in the game, but could not convert try scoring opportunities into enough points.

Marshall put second-rower Willie Mataka across the line in the 67th minute to reduce the deficit to four points and set up a thrilling finale.

Taniela Tuiaki almost stole victory in the final seconds after a brilliant long pass from Marshall but the giant Tigers winger was denied a try after a head-high tackle by Ben Jones.

The win came at a cost for one of the Roosters' rising stars as rookie Rohan Ahern was stretchered off in the 32nd minute with a potentially season-ending anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.

Club officials are hopeful it is only a cartilage injury and he'll make a return in four-to-six weeks.

Roosters centre Mitchell Aubusson scored the opening try in the 26th minute after Pearce's cross-field bomb, while fullback Shannon Gallant crossed in the 35th minute for the Tigers off Marshall's grubber.

Roosters coach Brad Fittler was impressed with Minichiello's return from a full pre-season, and for his side bouncing back from last week's deflating 54-6 trial loss to St George Illawarra.

"He never stops surprising me, Mini, he was really good," said Fittler.

"I was sort of worried how he would handle the confrontation of it, it was great.

"I thought he looked confident. There's been a lot of talk about Anthony, I thought he just went out there as a player and did his job."

Tigers coach Tim Sheens was equally buoyed by the development of Marshall in the No.7 jersey.

But Sheens rued three poor refereeing decisions, the first when his player was impeded in the contest for the Roosters' first try, the second when Pearce scored short of the line and finally when Tuiaki was coat-hangered when trying to score.

"Overall if it was a competition game I'd be unhappy because you'd expect the extra officials to get it right," he said.

"We had the chance to win it ... at the end of the day I was reasonably happy considering the conditions which were a bit awkward and we got through without any major injuries."

AAP

Sydney Roosters
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Dragons Defeat Roosters In Trial

February 15th 2009 13:44
Wayne Bennett's tenure as St George Illawarra coach opened in stunning fashion as the Dragons crushed Sydney Roosters in their first match under the veteran coach.

After 21 years in Brisbane, Bennett's impact looked immediate in a 54-6 belting of the tri-colours at Members Equity Stadium in Perth.

Much-maligned for beating themselves with errors and wasted opportunities, the new-look Dragons instead made Brad Fittler's side pay for a number of gaffes, including knock-ons to start the first two quarters.

The joint venture side led 30-6 at half-time in steamy conditions before an enthusiastic 9,832 crowd, with centre Chase Stanley, back-rower Beau Scott, fullback Brett Morris and winger Michael Lett each scoring a brace of tries.

The writing was on the wall for the Bondi Junction side when prop Frank-Baul-Nuuausala knocked-on from the kick-off and after a quick scrum win, Dragons centre Matt Cooper put winger Michael Webb over in the left corner.

St George Illawarra Dragons


Then Sydney's restart went out on the full and New Zealand international Stanley scored.

The second period saw further tries to Stanley (22) captain Dean Young (34) and Scott (37).

And while new recruit Darius Boyd was denied a try off Wendell Sailor's grubber in the 57th-minute, the Broncos import managed to cross the stripe with 12 minutes to go anyway, after a long break from Ben Creagh.

Lett crossed again in the final minutes to add some extra gloss to the Dragons' scoreline.

AAP
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Braith Anasta Looks To Stronger Roosters

February 10th 2009 08:15
Braith Anasta says the Sydney Roosters will be a stronger, more experienced team in 2009 after fading out of NRL title contention in the second half of last year.

Brad Fittler's men looked genuine premiership contenders in 2008 but then lost five of their last seven home-and-away games before being bounced out of the finals in straight sets.

Anasta said the players were determined not to make such a timid exit this season.

"At times we looked unreal ... but we fizzled out," he said.

"Mentally we were not strong enough.

"Last year was the first thing we talked about in training, we took it very seriously.

"We have had a motto in each session and that is to finish strong and regardless of what the session is whether it be video, running, weights or whatever.

"We maybe peaked too early but even at the end we showed glimpses in the finals of that early form, but it was our second half of the season that let us down."

Sydney Roosters


Anasta's fine form was one of the key factors in the Roosters return to finals football after a four-year absence and he said the imminent return of former Kangaroos fullback Anthony Minichiello was a massive boost.

Minichiello has been dogged by a serious back problem for the past four years and the complaint cruelled his 2008 campaign.

"Mini is going great, there's been no mishaps, and he's done 90 per cent of everything the rest of us have done," said Anasta.

"If you ask him he would say he is the best shape he has been in for four years."

Minichiello will not face St George Illawarra Dragons in the Roosters' opening trial game of the season in Perth with English recruit Jordan Tansey to make his debut after his surprise switch from Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

Tansey, who can play centre or fullback, swapped Leeds for Sydney despite failing to nail a place down with the Rhinos.

Anasta was confident the 22-year-old could be a success in the NRL.

"Tansey has got better every week, he has enjoyed it and the guys have been enjoying his company," he said.

"We have only done scrimmage and oppose with him so it is hard to tell exactly where he is at, but I am confident he will do a good job from what I have seen so far."

Saturday's game in Perth will see both sides play with two referees for the first time and Anasta supported the NRL's plan to have two officials on the field.

"I think it's a good move and it will quicken the game up," he said.

"It will be good for the fans, there will hopefully be less mistakes from the referees and more confidence from the players that there are two guys there and less to miss and harder for players to get away with things."

AAP
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Roosters name new stars

March 11th 2008 04:48
MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters


Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler has named an all-star line-up for their opening round clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

New recruits Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley will make their debut for the tri-colours in this Friday's annual grudge match, while fullback Anthiny Minichiello makes a welcome return after missing the majority of 2007 with a painful back injury.

Centre Brent Grose also makes his debut after impressing throughout the pre-season trials, while Riley Brown will be given first shot at the hooking role vacated by the departed Craig Wing.

Sydney Roosters team vs South Sydney Rabbitohs -

Anthony Minichiello
Amos Roberts
Brent Grose
Setaimata Sa
Shaun Kenny-Dowell
Braith Anasta
Mitchell Pearce
David Shillington
Riley Brown
Mark O’Meley
Willie Mason
Anthony Tupou
Craig Fitzgibbon (c)

Interchange -
Lopini Paea
Nate Myles
Sia Soliola
Danny Nutley
Frank Paul-Nuuausala
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Roosters lose Fitzgibbon

August 7th 2007 05:14
MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney Roosters

sydney roosters nrl



The Sydney Roosters late season semi-final charge has suffered a cruel blow, with skipper Craig Fitzgibbon ruled out of this weeks clash with the Wests Tigers with an ankle injury.

Fitzgibbon re-injured an ongoing ankle injury in last weeks exciting draw with the New Zealand Warriors, and is also doubtful for their Round 23 clash with the Gold Coast Titans next week.

Nate Myles replaces Fitzgibbon in the backrow, with Iosia Soilola the new reserve.


Sydney Roosters side to face the Wests Tigers :-

1 Sam Perrett
2 Amos Roberts
3 Mitchell Aubusson
4 Joel Monaghan
5 John Williams
6 Braith Anasta
7 Craig Wing
8 David Shillington
9 Heath L`Estrange
10 Lopini Paea
11 Anthony Tupou
12 Nate Myles Second Row
13 Ashley Harrison ©

INTERCHANGE
14 Danny Nutley
15 Iosia Soliola
16 Setimata Sa
17 Shane Shackleton
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Roosters make one change

June 19th 2007 05:20
MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney Roosters


sydney roosters logo


Sydney Roosters coach Chris Anderson has made only two changes to his side to clash with the Parramatta Eels this Saturday night at Aussie Stadium.

Rookie prop David Shillington replaces Nate Myles in the forward pack for the crucial meeting with the high flying Eels, whilst Ashley Harrison moves into the starting lock position with the injury to Braith Anasta.


Sydney Roosters team to meet Parramatta Eels

Amos Roberts
John Williams
Joel Monaghan
Sia Soliola
Sam Perrett
Setaimata Sa
Mitchell Pearce
David Shillington
Craig Wing
Danny Nutley
Anthony Tupou
Craig Fitzgibbon (c)
Ashley Harrison

Interchange -
Shane Shackleton
Lopini Paea
Mitchell Aubusson
Danny Williams
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Flannery signs with St Helens

June 15th 2007 02:19
MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney Roosters


sydney roosters logo


Injured Sydney Roosters utility Chris Flannery has today been granted a release from his contract with the Sydney glamour club, and has signed on with UK Super League team St Helens effective immediately.

Flannery, who is expected to make his debut for St Helens as early as next month, has signed a four year deal with the UK powerhouse club, as a replacement for club and Great Britain lock forward Paul Sculthorpe who recently broke his ankle.

Currenlty on the sidelines injured after sustaining a broken leg in the Roosters pre-season Foundation Club trial in February, Flannery has made outstanding progress in his rehabilitation, and should be back on the training paddock as early as next week.
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Roosters name selection shock

June 5th 2007 04:23
MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney Roosters




The Sydney Roosters have produced a selection bombshell ahead of their clash with the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night, with boom rookie Setaimata Sa being named at five-eighth for the Aussie Stadium encounter.

With Origin players Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta unavailable for selection, Roosters coach Chris Anderson has plumped for giant centre to fill Anasta;s shoes in th enumber six jeresey, whilst providing Amos Roberts with a chance to impress at fullback in MInichiello's absence.

Sydney Roosters vs North QLD Cowboys


Saturday, 7.30pm, Aussie Stadium

1 Amos Roberts
2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
3 Sam Perrett
4 Joel Monaghan
5 John Williams
6 Setaimata Sa
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 David Shillington
9 Craig Wing
10 Danny Nutley
11 Anthony Tupou
12 Craig Fitzgibbon (c)
13 Ashley Harrison

Interchange -
14 Shane Shackleton
15 Lopini Paea
16 Mitchell Aubusson
17 Danny Williams
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