The NRL’s oldest grudge match between the Roosters and the Rabbitohs once again resulted in a wild brawl and two players being sent off the field. Although the Roosters emerged victorious with a 20-18 win, Joseph Manu faces an anxious wait after being placed on report and hit with a sin bin for a high shot on Rabbitohs centre Isaiah Tass. The fiery match also saw Michael Chee Kam punched during the melee, which eventually led to him being sent to the sin bin. Meanwhile, Souths forward Hame Sele became the first player to be automatically stood down under the NRL’s new concussion policy after suffering a category-one concussion in the opening minute of the game.
Important Details about NRL 2023: Roosters win 20-18 over Rabbitohs, Hame Sele suffers concussion blow –
– The NRL’s oldest grudge match between the Roosters and South Sydney exploded once again
– Joseph Manu produced a great try-saving tackle but was later placed on report and sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Rabbitohs centre Isaiah Tass
– The Roosters won 20-18 over Souths
– Hame Sele from Souths will be the first player automatically stood down under the NRL’s new concussion policy after being knocked out in the opening minute of the game
– Sele suffered a category-one concussion and will miss next week’s game against Manly
– Souths have injury concerns with Shaquai Mitchell limping off the field and Rabbitohs already without several players
– South Sydney has a tough few months ahead with games against Melbourne, the Panthers, the Dolphins and Brisbane.
The NRL’s Oldest Grudge Match: Roosters vs Souths
On Friday night, the Sydney Roosters took on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in what is arguably the NRL’s oldest grudge match. The Roosters secured a crucial 20-18 win over their fiercest rivals, but the game was marred by a wild brawl in the dying minutes that brought back memories of last year’s feisty finals match. The tense encounter saw two players marched from the field and could impact both teams for weeks to come.
Joseph Manu’s Incredible Try-Saving Tackle Turns Ugly
Joseph Manu produced one of the greatest try-saving tackles you’ll ever see, but he finished Friday night in the sin bin following a wild brawl that broke out in the dying minutes of the game. It had echoes of last year’s feisty finals match between the two teams. Manu was sent to the sin bin after being placed on report for a high shot on Rabbitohs centre Isaiah Tass when play was already dead for a forward pass.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson defended Manu, saying that he was “trying to make the tackle on Tass that he made the play before (when he saved a try). He got it wrong. I think that’s enough, and then running in and then everything that went on after that is what it is.” Manu got him flush across the jaw, prompting furious Rabbitohs players to rush in as tempers boiled over. Manu was left with a swelling and a bruise under his left eye, two years after he copped a shocking high shot that ended his season.
Roosters Get Their Revenge over Souths
The Roosters had the last laugh with their crucial 20-18 win over their fiercest rivals, avenging the infamous ‘Sin bin Sunday’. However, Manu faces an anxious wait after being placed on report and sent to the sin bin for his high shot on Tass. The win comes after Souths beat the Roosters in the finals last year, a game that saw both teams lose players to the sin bin following a series of scuffles.
Chee Kam Also Sent to the Sin Bin for Throwing a Punch
Chee Kam was also sent to the sin bin for throwing a punch in a manic final few minutes that saw Izaac Thompson crash over, just when it looked like the Roosters had sealed the game. The try brought Souths to within two points of the Roosters, but their comeback was ultimately cut short. Latrell Mitchell had the chance to send the game into golden point, but his audacious field goal attempt out of dummy-half landed short, leaving Souths with one win after three rounds.
Hame Sele Becomes the First Player Stood Down under the NRL’s New Concussion Policy
South Sydney forward Hame Sele became the first player to be automatically stood down under the NRL’s new concussion policy after being knocked out in the opening minute of Friday’s nailbiting loss to the Sydney Roosters. Making his first appearance of the season, Sele got caught in an awkward position trying to tackle Victor Radley and was in trouble immediately, with players from both sides showing concern.
Sele laid motionless on the turf for a few minutes before eventually being helped from the field. He was ruled to have suffered a category-one concussion and will miss next week’s heavyweight clash with Manly under the NRL’s new rule. The rule states that any player showing category-one symptoms must be rested for 11 days.
Souths’ Injury concerns Continue to Mount
Compounding Sele’s absence is a foot injury for teammate Shaquai Mitchell, who limped from the field midway through the second half and left the ground on crutches. It will be a real test of the Rabbitohs’ forward stocks, having entered the game already without Jacob Host (calf), Jai Arrow (hamstring), Siliva Havili (knee) and Liam Knight (knee). Host will be available next week, while Arrow is a slight chance. The Rabbitohs had only just regained the services of starting prop Tevita Tatola, who missed their last-start loss to Penrith due to his own concussion.
South Sydney’s Tough Road Ahead
The Rabbitohs have a testing couple of months ahead, including two clashes against Melbourne, a return bout with the Panthers, as well as games against the Dolphins and Brisbane. With injury concerns mounting, Demetriou will have a tough job getting his team in the right shape for the challenges that lie ahead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Roosters’ win over Souths was marred by a wild brawl that saw two players sent to the sin bin in the game’s dying minutes. The Roosters secured a crucial 20-18 win over their fiercest rivals, avenging last year’s finals loss to Souths. The game demonstrated just how fierce the rivalry between these two teams remains. Furthermore, the game highlighted the importance of player safety and the NRL’s new concussion policy. Hame Sele became the first player automatically stood down under the policy, and Souths will be left with several injury concerns in the weeks to come. Overall, it was an intense encounter that will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time to come.