Manly Warringah Sea Eagles continued their strong start to the season with a 21-14 victory over the Sydney Roosters at 4 Pines Park this afternoon.
The two winners of the Las Vegas Double Header matches battled it out in a back-and-forth contest in round two of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
The match marked the club debut of winger Tommy Talau and the 150th NRL game for forward Nathan Brown.
Manly edged out their competitors to hold a 12-10 lead at half-time but lost Talau in the 70th minute with an ankle injury after scoring a try a minute after the break.
“Tommy’s got an MRI booked for tomorrow afternoon, but he obviously couldn’t return to the field,'' Coach Anthony Seibold said.
"We don’t know whether it was dislocated or if there was a break there, but we’ll find out soon.”
When talking about a potential suitor to step in should Talau be out, Seibold said Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega would be considered.
“Ray played reserve grade today. He’s been in and around the squad the last two weeks. So if Tommy’s out, then Ray will get an opportunity and I’m sure he’ll do a really good job.” Seibold added.
Sea Eagles v Roosters – Round 2, 2024
After starting off the match in red-hot form, the Sea Eagles struck first with a try for Lachlan Croker in the sixth minute for a 6-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Roosters to hit back though, with winger Daniel Tupou going over in the opposite corner three minutes later to bring the score to 6-4.
Manly capitalised on a Roosters mistake and made them pay as centre Tolutau Koula dived over for a try in the corner. Winger Jaxson Paulo made the initial effort, breaking a handful of tackles before offloading to five-eighth Luke Brooks. A quick shift to Koula gave him enough space to go over untouched, extending the lead to 10-4 with 20 minutes played.
The two sides were trading tries as the Roosters scored through James Tedesco three minutes later to level the scores at 10-all.
In his first game at home in Manly colours, Brooks turned the game on its head with two big chances in a matter of minutes. He broke the line in the 31st minute with a phenomenal dummy to fool the defence. He almost dived over in the corner three minutes later for his second try of the season, but the play was unfortunately called back due to a knock-on moments earlier.
Sea Eagles: Round 2
With 50 seconds remaining in the half, Roosters forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves dropped the ball cold 30 metres out from his own line, gifting the home side one more opportunity before halftime. Another penalty 30 seconds later led to a shot at goal for the Sea Eagles, which was converted by Garrick giving his side a 12-10 lead heading into the sheds.
The Sea Eagles came out in the second half with a point to prove and did just that in the opening minute as Talau crashed over for his first NRL try in a Manly jersey for an 18-10 lead.
Manly second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu was denied a try on two occasions in a matter of tackles before the Roosters quickly turned defence into attack in the 55th minute, intercepting a pass from Tom Trbojevic and racing 90 metres downfield to score through winger Dominic Young for an 18-14 scoreline.
Garrick converted a penalty goal from in front to give the Sea Eagles a six-point buffer with 18 minutes to play.
Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans kicked a field goal from 20 metres out with seven minutes to play for the 21-14 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles head to Parramatta on Sunday March 24 at CommBank Stadium. Kick-off 4.05pm.
Sea Eagles 21 (Tries: Croker 6’, Koula 20’, Talau 41’. Goals: Garrick 4/5. Cherry-Evans FG 71’) def. Roosters 14 (Tries: Tupou 9’, Tedesco 23’, Young 55’. Goals: Walker 1/2, Suaalii 0/1)
