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Joseph Manu inspires Roosters to big win over Dragons

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

An astonishing individual performance from Joseph Manu has inspired the Sydney Roosters to a fast-finishing 54-26 win over St George Illawarra that snapped a four-game NRL losing streak while keeping their finals hopes alive.

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But the victory in Gosford looks to have come at a significant cost for the Roosters, regular first-graders Billy Smith (knee), Sitili Tupouniua (knee) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) going down with injuries.

Moses Suli limped off for the Dragons just before halftime and did not return.

Both sides have designs on playing September football despite going into the round sitting outside the top eight.

With Luke Keary still missing through concussion, Manu shifted to five-eighth for just the fourth time in his career and wasted little time exerting his influence on the contest.

He first barged through the middle of the park and flicked the ball away to Victor Radley, who opened the Roosters’ account against the run of play.

Five minutes later, Manu forced a drop-out with a kick to the in-goal area, and made the most of the ensuing field position by barging over from dummy-half.

In the first half, Manu’s efforts were matched by Dragons captain Ben Hunt.

Hunt brought his State of Origin heroics to the Central Coast, spinning out of the Roosters’ goal-line defence for the Dragons’ first try and then landing an inch-perfect 40/20 kick to lay the groundwork for their second.

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The Roosters’ hopes of working back into the game were dealt a blow when Smith did his knee, forcing Manu to shift between the halves and the outside backline.

The tight contest threatened to swing in the Tricolours’ favour when Dragons prop Aaron Woods was sin-binned for taking Sam Walker off the ball as he kicked from close range early in the second half.

The Dragons scored first while they were a man down but Manu’s second try from dummy half was the impetus for a five-minute surge that produced two more tries for the Roosters and ultimately sealed the win.

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The floodgates opened with the Dragons defence capitulating once the Roosters found their rhythm.

Playing back at five-eighth, Manu set the Roosters’ eighth try up with a kick for Paul Momirovski and earned a well-deserved early mark.

The Roosters were down on numbers but mid-season recruit Matthew Lodge only made it onto the field for his club debut at the 50-minute mark.

He finished with 92 metres but threw an intercept pass that gave the Dragons a chance at storming back into the contest with 15 minutes to play.

The win will be crucial for the Roosters their hopes of playing finals football.

Had they lost, the Roosters would likely have needed five wins from their last seven games to play finals.

Five of those games are against sides that started the weekend in the top eight.

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R
RedWarrior 52 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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