SYDNEY ROOSTERS 28 GOLD COAST TITANS 12
TOM SMITH, Polytec Stadium, Gosford, Friday

ROOSTERS captain James Tedesco led his side to a professional victory over the Titans on the New South Wales Central Coast. 

Tedesco scored two tries, assisted another and racked up a dizzying 314 running metres in a vintage display by the dual Dally M medallist. 

The new-look Titans kept the Roosters’ rampant attack at bay for the first half hour, before Tedesco helped dismantle them in the second half. 

Maroons aspirant Robert Toia also notched a double, Sam Walker set up two tries with his boot and Siua Wong was destructive in the back row. 

The Roosters had beaten the Titans eleven times in a row before last season’s upset at Allianz Stadium, and normal service resumed here. 

The Titans have only managed to beat the Dragons and Eels so far this season, encouraging rookie coach Josh Hannay to shake up his team sheet for this trip to Gosford. 

In came half Zane Harrison and winger Jensen Taumoepeau for their NRL bows, while Klese Haas, Oliver Pascoe and Cooper Bai graduated from the bench to the starting line-up. 

The Roosters, on the other hand, are on a hot streak of form since falling to the Panthers in round three, averaging 39 points per game over what is now a six-game unbeaten run. 

Injuries to Lindsay Collins (head) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (ankle) brought Spencer Leniu and Cody Ramsey into the side, while Angus Crichton overcame a knee complaint. 

The Bunker denied Taumoepeau a maiden first-grade try early, but the Titans eventually opened the scoring via Chris Randall, who left Walker in his wake. 

Sydney hammered the visitors’ line in search of a reply, and eventually found it through Toia. A Tedesco step and pass unlocked the Gold Coast’s defence, and the Queensland centre did the rest. 

And the Chooks’ skipper nabbed a try of his own before the break to give his side the lead heading into the sheds. Taumoepeau failed to handle a high Walker kick under pressure from Daniel Tupou, and the loose ball found Tedesco in the left corner. 

Walker converted to make it 10-6 and the Roosters hit their straps after the restart. 

A Wong line break led to Toia’s second down the right edge, courtesy of some quick hands by Robson, Walker and the outstanding second-rower. 

Ramsey produced a try-saving tackle on the runaway Beau Fermor, then up the other end, Tupou soared over Taumoepeau to another Walker bomb. 

That was try number 191 for the veteran winger, moving past Billy Slater into third on the all-time try-scoring charts. 

A Robson grubber gift-wrapped Hugo Savala four points and, four minutes from time, Tedesco tallied his second, finishing a wrap-around set play off a scrum engineered by Daly Cherry-Evans and converted by Walker.

AJ Brimson sent Keano Kini away for a late Gold Coast consolation try to put the finishing touches on the scoreboard. 

GAMESTAR: James Tedesco tallied two tries and more than 300 running metres to help the Roosters break down the Titans. 

GAMEBREAKER: Tedesco’s second in the 76th minute, off a perfectly executed Daly Cherry-Evans scrum-base play, was the Chooks’ sixth and final four-pointer. 

MATCHFACTS

ROOSTERS
1 James Tedesco
2 Daniel Tupou
3 Hugo Savala
4 Robert Toia
5 Cody Ramsey
6 Daly Cherry-Evans
7 Sam Walker
8 Naufahu Whyte
9 Reece Robson
10 Spencer Leniu
11 Angus Crichton
12 Siua Wong
13 Victor Radley
Subs
14 Connor Watson
15 Egan Butcher
16 Nat Butcher
17 Salesi Foketi
20 Fetalaiga Pauga (not used)
21 Reece Foley (not used)

Tries: Toia (31, 49), Tedesco (37, 76), Tupou (61), Savala (67)
Goals: Walker 2/6

TITANS
1 Keano Kini
2 Jensen Taumoepeau
3 Jojo Fifita
4 AJ Brimson
5 Phillip Sami
6 Jayden Campbell
7 Zane Harrison
8 Klese Haas
9 Oliver Pascoe
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11 Chris Randall
12 Beau Fermor
13 Cooper Bai
Subs
14 Kurtis Morrin
16 Moeaki Fotuaika
16 Josh Patston
17 Arama Hau
18 Jaylan De Groot (not used)
19 Sam Verrills (not used)

Tries: Randall (17), Kini (78)
Goals: Campbell 2/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 10-6; 14-6, 18-6, 22-6, 28-6, 28-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Roosters: James Tedesco; Titans: Beau Fermor

Penalty count: 6-2
Half-time: 10-6
Referee: Peter Gough
Attendance: 12,226