Rabbitohs routed as Tedesco leads rampant Roosters into another finals tilt

For the ninth straight season – in a campaign that began with roughly $4 million in talent walking out the door – the Roosters are finals-bound.

Not even the sledging and shots of former Chook Brandon Smith could throw the Tricolours off on Friday night, with James Tedesco leading a 36-6 triumph in their latest grudge match against the Rabbitohs.

Smith brought the anticipated fireworks all on his own as he clashed with the ex-teammates recently dragged into allegations of drug supply against him. First he lined up Billy Smith, then Tedesco and Angus Crichton in back-to-back tackles, mouthing off after every shot too.

But when he hit Siua Wong high and Jamie Humphreys was sin-binned for a hip-drop in the same tackle, the Rabbitohs’ revival from 10-0 down was done and dusted.

Two tries in three minutes against a 12-man defence gave the Roosters much-needed breathing room after a shaky finish to the first half.

Tedesco, as always, featured prominently in both, laying on tries for Daniel Tupou and Connor Watson with quick hands, power and pace.

The warmest of Dally M medal favourites has been immense all season. Especially when you consider the 953 games worth of experience that departed with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua at the end of 2024.

The Roosters haven’t missed the top eight since 2016, and are once again deserving finalists thanks to the leadership of Tedesco, the return of Sam Walker and a batch of juniors that could be anything.

Mark Nawaqanitawase too of course, who finished with a hat-trick and comprehensive bragging rights over record-hunting Rabbitoh Alex Johnston.

Friday’s comprehensive rout of their arch-enemy secured the Roosters, at worst, an eighth-place finish to the regular season.

The Warriors’ loss to Manly minutes before kick-off at Allianz locked Cronulla into fifth place and hosting rights at Shark Park. If Penrith take care of the Dragons on Saturday as expected, it will be the Roosters travelling to the Shire next week.

Should St George Illawarra spring a serious upset, then the Warriors will play host to Trent Robinson’s side across the ditch.

They will fancy their chances against anyone given the way they’ve rattled up an average of 36 points in three recent wins over Canterbury, Melbourne and now Souths.

The Rabbitohs briefly looked the goods too when the Roosters’ hands deserted them, just as they did in that glaring round 25 loss to Parramatta.

After two early Nawaqanitawase tries, Wayne Bennett called up Smith, Cameron Murray and Cody Walker from his bench – surely among the most illustrious, and expensive, interchange trio Souths have ever named.

An Ashton Ward try, engineered by a runaway Jye Gray, had the Roosters wobbling more than the scoreboard showed. But once the Rabbitohs went down to 12 men, they were no match.

And when they were back to 13, the Roosters simply strung together nonchalant flick passes for a lovely late Angus Crichton try before effectively putting the cue in the rack.

They do have finals to play after all.

For the ninth straight season – in a campaign that began with roughly $4 million in talent walking out the door – the Roosters are finals-bound.

Not even the sledging and shots of former Chook Brandon Smith could throw the Tricolours off on Friday night, with James Tedesco leading a 36-6 triumph in their latest grudge match against the Rabbitohs.

Smith brought the anticipated fireworks all on his own as he clashed with the ex-teammates recently dragged into allegations of drug supply against him. First he lined up Billy Smith, then Tedesco and Angus Crichton in back-to-back tackles, mouthing off after every shot too.

But when he hit Siua Wong high and Jamie Humphreys was sin-binned for a hip-drop in the same tackle, the Rabbitohs’ revival from 10-0 down was done and dusted.

Two tries in three minutes against a 12-man defence gave the Roosters much-needed breathing room after a shaky finish to the first half.

Tedesco, as always, featured prominently in both, laying on tries for Daniel Tupou and Connor Watson with quick hands, power and pace.

The warmest of Dally M medal favourites has been immense all season. Especially when you consider the 953 games worth of experience that departed with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua at the end of 2024.

The Roosters haven’t missed the top eight since 2016, and are once again deserving finalists thanks to the leadership of Tedesco, the return of Sam Walker and a batch of juniors that could be anything.

Mark Nawaqanitawase too of course, who finished with a hat-trick and comprehensive bragging rights over record-hunting Rabbitoh Alex Johnston.

Friday’s comprehensive rout of their arch-enemy secured the Roosters, at worst, an eighth-place finish to the regular season.

The Warriors’ loss to Manly minutes before kick-off at Allianz locked Cronulla into fifth place and hosting rights at Shark Park. If Penrith take care of the Dragons on Saturday as expected, it will be the Roosters travelling to the Shire next week.

Should St George Illawarra spring a serious upset, then the Warriors will play host to Trent Robinson’s side across the ditch.

They will fancy their chances against anyone given the way they’ve rattled up an average of 36 points in three recent wins over Canterbury, Melbourne and now Souths.

The Rabbitohs briefly looked the goods too when the Roosters’ hands deserted them, just as they did in that glaring round 25 loss to Parramatta.

After two early Nawaqanitawase tries, Wayne Bennett called up Smith, Cameron Murray and Cody Walker from his bench – surely among the most illustrious, and expensive, interchange trio Souths have ever named.

An Ashton Ward try, engineered by a runaway Jye Gray, had the Roosters wobbling more than the scoreboard showed. But once the Rabbitohs went down to 12 men, they were no match.

And when they were back to 13, the Roosters simply strung together nonchalant flick passes for a lovely late Angus Crichton try before effectively putting the cue in the rack.

They do have finals to play after all.

After going into round 27 with their place in the finals in doubt, the Roosters will now take plenty of momentum into next week’s sudden death playoff fixture, while Alex Johnston’s bid to topple Ken Irvine as the game’s greatest tryscorer will have to wait until next season.

Roosters win 36-6 at Allianz Stadium

Roosters centre Billy Smith opens up the Rabbitohs with an angled run infield from the left, and the Souths defenders are scrambling as Connor Watson busts tackles on the following play. A pass finds the ground and the referee rules a Roosters knock-on, but James Tedesco uses a captain’s challenge and it’s a successful one – the bunker spotting Isaiah Tass tackling a player early.

Sam Walker lands a penalty goal and the Roosters are now four converted tries clear.

Roosters lead 30-6 with 17 minutes left

This sin bin is proving very costly for Souths, with the Roosters scoring off the first set after points. Robert Toia and James Tedesco link up on the right to break the Rabbitohs defence open, and Tedesco sends Connor Watson clear to score in his 100th game as a Rooster.

Roosters lead 22-6 with 35 minutes left

The second half starts with a blow for Souths, with Jamie Humphreys pinged for a hip drop tackle on Siua Wong and sent to the sin bin.

The Roosters attack and they immediately cash in on the overlap, some great quick passing down the left from James Tedesco and Billy Smith setting up Daniel Tupou in the corner. Sam Walker lands another sideline conversion and the Tricolours are back in control.

Roosters lead 16-6 with 37 minutes left