Roosters Dominate Historic Rivalry Match to Book Finals Spot, Defeating Rabbitohs 36-6

Historic Victory Secures Finals Berth

The Sydney Roosters have secured their place in the finals with a commanding 36-6 victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs before a packed crowd of 41,604 at Allianz Stadium.

While the Roosters led by a modest 10-6 at halftime, the game took a decisive turn in the 41st minute when Jamie Humphreys was sent to the sin bin. The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for the Roosters, who had earlier struggled with injuries this season, making their top-eight finish appear unlikely.

Star Performances

Captain James Tedesco delivered an outstanding five-star performance, providing three try assists. Adding to the spectacle, winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a memorable hat-trick, putting himself in prime position to secure the Ken Irvine Medal as the season’s leading try-scorer.

Historical Pursuit Falls Short

The match held additional significance as Rabbitohs’ Alex Johnston, currently on 210 career tries, was unable to add to his tally in his quest to surpass Ken Irvine’s long-standing record of 212 tries.

Finals Implications

The victory has significant implications for the finals series, as it means the Dolphins can no longer finish in the Top 8 regardless of their result against Canberra. The Roosters, currently positioned seventh, await the outcome of other matches to determine their finals opponent, with potential matchups against either the Warriors or Sharks.

Murray’s Return

The match was notable for featuring Cameron Murray’s only appearance of the season for the Rabbitohs. The South Sydney captain returned after recovering from an Achilles injury that had sidelined him since February, choosing this classic rivalry match for his comeback.