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It was a match that had it all.. one of the best of the season so far and this Friday Night, when arch-rivals meet once again, it's only going to get even bigger!

Cast your mind back three weeks.

Two sides, both battling it out for top spot on the NRL Ladder, right up until the last weekend of the season. What more could you ask for? What more could you want?

 

Yet another dominant display from Roosters halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney saw the defending Premiers make it six wins in a row with a four-point victory over arch-rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium in the final regular season fixture for both sides in 2014.

In a wet and wild affair infront of more than 30,000 Fans it was a case of deja vu for Roosters Fans as their playmaking-duo flew out of the blocks early in the match to put the Michael Maguire led visitors on the backfoot from the early exchanges.

Suited to the conditions coming from the sky it was a penalty that saw the first points of the match after Sam Burgess was pinged in front of the uprights for a second attempt in the tackle, handing Jimmy Maloney the chance to take an early lead at 2-0 after just seven minutes.

Again the weather played its part in the next points of the match as Souths peppered the Tricolours line before a scoot from Isaac Luke forced a penalty in front of the uprights, which the hooker himself sent through the sticks to open his side’s account.

It was just five minutes later before the passionate crowd saw the opening four-pointer of the night, as Pearce was the first to break the Bunnies line with a double step of the right foot seeing the halfback just metres out before a one-on-one strip from Luke Keary saved a certain four-pointer.

However, quick-thinking from Pearce saw the playmaker flick it back for his halves partner Maloney to fire it out wide for NSW Blues winger Daniel Tupou to crash over.

As Maloney lined up the extras from the Western touchline, young-gun Dylan Napa was placed on report for a shoulder charge three sets earlier on John Sutton.

It was just a matter of minutes before the Referees had their arms crossed in the air once again with Napa joined in the book by QLD Maroons backrower Aidan Guerra.

Guerra was placed on report for a chicken-wing tackle.

The visitors never looked like cracking the home side's line throughout the opening forty, helped again by Pearce who had the Roosters faithful on their feet in the 28th minute as the halfback chased down a flying Greg Inglis to prevent a certain four-pointer.

And that's where it stayed for the first half as the sides headed into the sheds with the Roosters leading 8-2.

It was just a matter of minutes before the opening points of the second-half were on the board and it was a case of déjà vu from the first half as a penalty in front of the uprights allowed Maloney a chance to extend the lead to eight.

The opportunity came following a brilliant midfield break from Sonny Bill Williams, who found the ever-present Pearce in support who was cut down 6m out and held down for too long, seeing Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva’a sent to the sin bin.

A man down, it was just three minutes later that Pearce was again causing havoc for the Rabbitohs defence as the halfback broke through the line before sending Allianz Stadium crazy as the Captain Anthony Minichiello followed in support to receive the ball just 20m out and race away to score.

As the lead began to grow, so to did the confidence and just five minutes later Maloney was in under the sticks after pouncing on a grubber that his partner in crime drilled into the uprights.

The Rabbitohs then laid on three quick tries in succession, however couldn't fight their way back into the lead and again fell short of being the Roosters in the final round of the season.


What will be the outcome this Friday night, when the two sides meet for a place in the 2014 decider? Will the Bunnies make it to the final day of the season or will we go one step closer to back-to-back Titles? CLICK HERE for Ticketing Information.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.