A four-try haul from former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase has inspired the Sydney Roosters to a 40-10 comeback victory against Melbourne that leaves them in the box seat for a finals berth.
With the Roosters trailing 10-0 at half-time in Friday’s penultimate-round game at AAMI Park, Nawaqanitawase’s magic sparked a second-half revival that clinched two vital competition points for his team.
They remain eighth on the ladder but have moved to 30 points, four points clear of both the Dolphins and Manly, who are yet to play this weekend.
If the Roosters can beat traditional rivals South Sydney in next week’s final round, they will seal a top-eight finish.
Even if Souths win, the Roosters would miss out on the finals only if the Dolphins and/or Manly win both their remaining games and improve their for-and-against statistics in the process.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was delighted with the win but said nobody was feeling “giddy” because the season is still in the balance.
“I’ve seen the real growth in our team over the last couple of months and I’m really proud of where we’re getting to,” Robinson said
“There’s still a long way to go. We’re on the right track there ... [but ] the job’s not over.”
After their costly 30-10 loss to Parramatta last week, the Roosters arrived in Melbourne under pressure, facing a tightrope walk to qualify for the post-season.
They could not afford to put a foot wrong against a Storm team depleted by the absence of Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Eliesa Katoa, Josh King, Nick Meaney, Tui Kamikamica and Xavier Coates.
The visitors threw everything at Melbourne in the opening 20 minutes yet were unable to put a solitary point on the board.
The Storm withstood a barrage of attacks and emerged with a 10-0 lead at half-time.
They opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen attacked the short side and put back-rower Shawn Blore over with a classy short ball.
They rammed home that advantage 14 minutes later when bench utility Jonah Pezet kicked across field for winger Will Warbrick, recalled after a long injury lay-off.
Warbrick flew above Daniel Tupou and batted the ball down for centre Grant Anderson to score his 11th try of the season.
Six minutes into the second half, the Roosters narrowed the deficit when Nawaqanitawase beat opposite number Kane Bradley to plant the ball over the line for his 17th try this year.
Five-eighth Sandon Smith converted from the sideline to make it 10-6 to the home team.
The Roosters hit the lead in the 54th minute when bench forward Egan Butcher broke clear through the middle of the ruck and Siua Wong backed up to score between the posts.
The visitors increased the margin 10 minutes later after they capitalised on sustained possession and spun the ball to Nawaqanitawase, who crossed for the second time in the match.
Three minutes later, Nawaqanitawase made it a hat-trick after finishing off a backline raid.
He increased his try tally to four in the 72nd minute with some fancy footwork that left Melbourne’s cover defenders baffled.
The rugby union convert is now the NRL’s leading tryscorer with 20 in 21 games, underlining his claims to become a dual international by representing the Kangaroos in their three-Test series against England in October and November.
“There’s a high intelligence,” Robinson said of the dynamic winger.
“His carries out of the backfield, his finishing of the tries, but then there’s some smarts in and around how he looks after the ball and how he knows his position on the field and the position of his feet.
“There’s a lot of little things there that are incredibly impressive. So, yes, I’d say he’s on a good path.”
The procession continued in the 77th minute when Queensland Origin centre Robert Toia scored, then Roosters skipper James Tedesco iced a memorable win with a runaway try a minute from full-time.
Melbourne’s loss means Canberra can clinch the minor premiership with a win at home against Wests Tigers on Saturday.
It was a disappointing result for Melbourne in Craig Bellamy’s 600th game as their head coach. Never before have they conceded 40 points in a half.
“In that second half, that was 40-0 in a half a footy,” Bellamy said.
“That’s embarrassing. That’s about the best, nicest word I could use ... with all due respect, for me, obviously, the Roosters are a good side, they’ve got some really good attacking players, but we were as soft as butter in the second half.”