Playmaker’s horror night as key men go missing in ugly rout: Every Rooster rated

The Roosters were brave in the second half, but were blown off the park in the first in their 30-10 loss to the Panthers with plenty of their key men struggling.

Sandon Smith had a night to forget at halfback, while Daniel Tupou was guilty of some crucial errors and James Tedesco had a mixed night at the office.

Every Roosters player rated out of 10 from the qualifying final vs the Roosters!

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1. James Tedesco

Out of position for the Panthers’ second try to Izack Tago. Set up the Roosters’ first try for Joseph Suaalii. Scored the Roosters second try after a nice pass from Sandon Smith. Looked to have set up a second try for Suaalii, but it was called back for a contentious forward pass. Out of position for Luke Garner’s try to seal the match. Finished with 159 metres, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, a try assist and a try. RATING 7

2. Daniel Tupou

Made a poor error early off a kick that gave the Panthers field position for Brian To’o to score the first try of the night. Made another error in the 22nd minute to gift the Panthers more field position. Finished with 153 metres and a linebreak, but his three errors were very costly. RATING 4

3. Joseph Suaali’i

A couple of strong charges in the first half, but also had some defensive lapses. Show and go and strong run to the line gave the Roosters their first try after halftime. Finished with 97 metres, a linebreak and a try. RATING 8

4. Joseph Manu

A great grab form a short drop out early in the game. Was superb jumping for a Sandon Smith kick late in the first half, but was stopped by three Panthers defenders. Finished with 88 metres, but missed three of his 21 tackles and surely must be considered for a move to the halves for the semi-final. RATING 7

5. Dom Young

Some big runs early to help the Roosters get out of trouble. Struggled to get into the game in attack. Finished with 74 run metres and five tackle busts, but conceded a penalty and missed a tackle as he was contained by the Panthers. RATING 6

6. Luke Keary

Missed four tackles early after copping a shoulder injury and then gave away a 10-metre penalty for back chat. Smart short dropout for Manu got the Roosters out of trouble. Gave away a penalty for holding back a player late in the first half. Strong pass to help set up Suaalii for the Roosters’ first try. Finished with nine run metres, no try involvements and five missed tackles. RATING 5

7. Sandon Smith

Poor kick early let the Panthers off the hook with a 20 metre restart and a try at the other end of the field. Missed a tackle for Jarome Luai to score the Panthers’ third. Smith missed another tackle for Luke Garner to score. Strong pass to help set up Suaalii’s try. Set up a try for Tedesco with a superb pass. Put his foot on the sideline from dummyhalf gifting the Panthers possession. Finished with 47 run metres, a linebreak assist and a try assist, but had an error and missed nine tackles. RATING 2

13. Nat Butcher

Made some strong charges after being switched to prop and superb defensively in the first half, but did give away a penalty. Finished with 63 metres and 33 tackles without a miss. RATING 7

9. Connor Watson

Made an error early and missed a few tackles after being made to do plenty of defensive work. Good charge down to give the Roosters some much needed field position but was run down by Cleary. Finished with 23 metres and a whopping 62 tackles, but also missed six and had two errors and a penalty conceded. RATING 6

10. Lindsay Collins

Strong defensively in the first half, but struggled to make an impact with just two runs with ball in hand. Finished with 48 run metres and 41 tackles with one miss. RATING 7

11. Angus Crichton

Made some great charges and had three offloads in the first half to go with some big defence. However, also had an error and missed two tackles. Finished with 81 run metres, three offloads and 22 tackles but missed four. RATING 6

12. Sitili Tupouniua

Did plenty of defence as was needed in the first half, but only had one run for four metres. Finished with 88 metres and 46 tackles, but missed five and had an error. RATING 5

17. Terrell May

Plenty of defence after slotting in at lock with 24 tackles and one miss in the first half, but had only three runs for 21 metres. Finished with 61 metres and 36 tackles with just one miss. RATING 7

BENCH:

8. Spencer Leniu

Came off the bench and had 11 tackles with one miss and nine metres from two runs. Finished with 63 run metres and 27 tackles with one miss. RATING 7

14. Zach Dockar-Clay

Didn’t get on the field. RATING N/A

15. Naufahu Whyte

Solid off the bench with 20 run metres and nine tackles without a miss in the first half. Finished with 121 metres and 30 tackles with one miss. RATING 8

16. Siua Wong

13 run metres from two runs and 14 tackles without a miss off the bench in the first half. Finished with 85 metres and 20 tackles with one miss. RATING 8

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