The word 'choke' wasn't exactly tossed around but the feeling among the Roosters was that they let one get away in round one against the Panthers.
They didn't score a try in the final 60 minutes of the game and were out-played in the second half by a hungrier team.
Manly willingly stood up to the Storm in their season opener but were gradually worn down in the second half.
The Sea Eagles face another tough test on Saturday evening against the premiers.
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
12th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: Poasa Faamausili replaces Nat Butcher on the Roosters bench, while Asu Kepaoa, Daniel Fifita and Lachlan Lam were omitted from the reserves list. Winger Matt Ikuvalu passed all his tests after suffering a head knock last round and coach Trent Robinson said he would be fit to play. Second-rower Angus Crichton is also "itching to get out" there, according to the coach after missing round one due to illness. Robinson said Boyd Cordner would be named in the team next week to finally make his season debut. The Roosters have scored 104 points in their past three games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles: No injury worries for coach Des Hasler after the round one loss to Melbourne, allowing him to keep the same 17 intact. Taniela Paseka is due to return from an ankle injury in round three. Toafofoa Sipley and Brendan Elliot were trimmed from the extended bench on Saturday after Zac Saddler and Tevita Vuna were cut from the reserves on Friday afternoon.
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Brett MorrisCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Moses Suli
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Matt IkuvaluWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Dylan Walker
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake FriendHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Danny Levi
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Mitchell Aubusson2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sam VerrillsInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Lachlan Croker
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Isaac LiuInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Sean Keppie
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Morgan Boyle
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Poasa FaamausiliInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Haumole Olakau'atu
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Plenty of eyes will be on two of the game's best fullbacks at Leichhardt Oval. James Tedesco will be eager for a big game after looking uncharacteristically rattled down the stretch against the Panthers, while Tom Trbojevic looms as a match-winner for the Sea Eagles.
Where it'll be won and lost
Luke Keary has to take charge from the outset and keep his team focused on the task when errors start to creep in, while Jake Friend has to ensure the Roosters forwards work as a pack. Daly Cherry-Evans knows he needs to be at his best against Keary for Manly to spring an upset.
Brett Kimmorley says
I thought Manly were unlucky in defeat against Melbourne. It was an arm-wrestle for 60 minutes until they conceded their first try. The Roosters should be able to fix their last-tackle options, which was what coach Trent Robinson was unhappy with. I wouldn't think the Chooks would lose too many games back-to-back to start the season. Roosters by 2.
Stat Attack
Jorge Taufua's 150th game in Manly colours wasn't his happiest day as a Sea Eagle. Not only did they lose on home turf to the Storm, Taufua had five of his team's 15 handling errors. The Roosters weren't much better in their 20-14 loss to Penrith, finishing with 11 handling errors.
And another thing …
The Sea Eagles can't afford a repeat of their slow start they had against the Roosters in last year's only clash. The Chooks led 22-0 at half-time and stretched it to 26-0 before Manly saved face with three converted tries to go down 26-18. Boyd Cordner and Daniel Tupou scored two tries apiece for the Roosters.
