Robinson mounts a strong case for the champs' defence

Roosters coach Trent Robinson is confident the side's defensive structures won't need to be tweaked after his first front-row seat into the six-again rule following their 28-12 victory over South Sydney on Friday night.

The Tricolours secured their first win of the season in a tough hit-out against their arch-rivals but some of the talk pre-game centred around how the opposition could possibly exploit the premiers, particularly through the middle.

Robinson was pleased with the overall performance after restricting the Rabbitohs to 12 with the side's attack also gelling far better than in the first two rounds prior to the season's suspension.

"I thought defensively we were good and handled [the game]. I didn't feel like we were under threat for most of that game," Robinson said.

"Twelve points hurts but I thought a solid game to start the season. People can talk about what's going to happen with the new rules but in the end your team and the attitude will decide what it looks like.

"I didn't see a difference in our defence whether there was six-again or whatever it was. I think people were talking about what the opposition was going to do to us.

"I felt like we were strong and the attitude we gave to whatever happened was Roosters defence.

"I thought we nailed our combinations in attack, they were really good. I thought we moved the ball well, carried well and supported well. There were some good things but room for improvement as well at the end of sets."

The spine of James Tedesco, Jake Friend Luke Keary and Kyle Flanagan also produced their best performance with all contributing with either tries or assists.

Many expected Tedesco, who ran for 295 metres with 13 tackle busts, to flourish under the new six-again rule, and Robinson agreed.

"It looked like there was a bit more freedom I'd say," he said.

"Those runs that you see from Teddy where he might have two or three, he had five or six tonight. Those cutting back against the ruck looking for opportunities.

"I thought that added a couple more like it did last night."

Meanwhile, Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said he saw enough signs to suggest his team were on the right track for when they meet the Roosters again.

The Bunnies were without Cody Walker and James Roberts for the clash, while Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell and Adam Reynolds struggled with cohesion in their first game back.

"I thought we were pretty competitive, there were good things that we did," Bennett said.

"You always miss your best players but that's the sport we play and we all realise that. Troy [Dargan] didn't let us down. I was pleased with our effort and we're not that far off the money.

"These guys are the back-to-back premiers and world club champions, a quality footy team and they played quality football tonight. I think we've got something to build on."