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globalrugbyleague - Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:13:00 GMTBulldogs coach Steve Folkes was far from ready to start talking up his side’s finals chances after grilling the Sydney Roosters 38-6 on Monday night.
Despite watching three quality players (Hickey, Williams and Phelps) score two tries each in the build-up to Canterbury’s first back to back win of 2007, the victory simply wasn’t sweet enough.
“I need some more convincing” Folkes replied when asked at the post-match press conference if he thought the Bulldogs of old were back.
“We’re on the right track,” was about as excited as the former second-rower got after defeating his former teammate and current Roosters coach Chris Anderson.
There was of course nothing but everlasting praise for Sonny Bill Williams who some believe put on his best display since making his debut in first grade back in round 1, 2004 against Parramatta.
Williams scored two tries on the night while being denied a further two inside the opening half and also setting up one to centre Daryl Millard.
“I’m not sure if he can play much better than that tonight,” coach Folkes admitted.
“If he can, I’d like to see it.”
Halfback Brent Sherwin also had a stellar night. He proved an ideal goal kicking stand-in for Origin bound teammate, Hazem El Masri, slotting over 5 goals while playing a big part in five of his side’s 7 tries.
Meanwhile the Roosters season took a turn for the worst after halfback Mitchell Pearce left the field inside the first half with a back injury despite passing a fitness test earlier in the day.
"Mitchell has been struggling all week,” Chris Anderson conceded after the game.
"He was confident he could play.
"I was rapt with his attitude that he could play. Most young kids with a little injury would say no.
"He is sore now. It's not a long-term injury, just a muscle strain."
Anderson will be hoping Pearce’s injury doesn’t spread over into round 17 when the Chooks play a Sea Eagles outfit desperate to make amends for their current slump.
Should Pearce be unavailable to play next weekend following scans on Tuesday, hooker Craig Wing could possibly return to the
halfback role before he moves to Souths next season.
This wouldn't be the first time the Roosters have beaten the Rabbitohs to the punch.
Following the departures of Josh Lewis (Gold Coast) and Jamie Soward (SGI), it’s hard to see anyone else with the experience and calibre to keep the Roosters season afloat.
It wouldn’t be a bad move by Anderson considering Wing played in that position in 2002 when the mob from Bondi won their last premiership.
Canterbury move into 10th spot on the NRL ladder while the Roosters fall below the Dragons.
In Premier League, the Bulldogs retained their four-point lead at the top of the ladder after narrowly downing Manly 26-24 with dropped halfback Daniel Holdsworth scoring his fourth try from his fourth appearance in the lower grades.
Canterbury Bulldogs (38) Jarrad Hickey (2), Sonny Bill Williams (2), Daryl Millard, Cameron Phelps (2) Tries; Brent Sherwin (5/7) goals) d Sydney Roosters (6) Lopini Paea Tries: Craig Fitzgibbon (1/1) goals) Line Drop Outs: Roosters 4 Bulldogs 1 GRL Game Grade: 4 balls out of 10 - Read More, Here
Despite watching three quality players (Hickey, Williams and Phelps) score two tries each in the build-up to Canterbury’s first back to back win of 2007, the victory simply wasn’t sweet enough.
“I need some more convincing” Folkes replied when asked at the post-match press conference if he thought the Bulldogs of old were back.
“We’re on the right track,” was about as excited as the former second-rower got after defeating his former teammate and current Roosters coach Chris Anderson.
There was of course nothing but everlasting praise for Sonny Bill Williams who some believe put on his best display since making his debut in first grade back in round 1, 2004 against Parramatta.
Williams scored two tries on the night while being denied a further two inside the opening half and also setting up one to centre Daryl Millard.
“I’m not sure if he can play much better than that tonight,” coach Folkes admitted.
“If he can, I’d like to see it.”
Halfback Brent Sherwin also had a stellar night. He proved an ideal goal kicking stand-in for Origin bound teammate, Hazem El Masri, slotting over 5 goals while playing a big part in five of his side’s 7 tries.
Meanwhile the Roosters season took a turn for the worst after halfback Mitchell Pearce left the field inside the first half with a back injury despite passing a fitness test earlier in the day.
"Mitchell has been struggling all week,” Chris Anderson conceded after the game.
"He was confident he could play.
"I was rapt with his attitude that he could play. Most young kids with a little injury would say no.
"He is sore now. It's not a long-term injury, just a muscle strain."
Anderson will be hoping Pearce’s injury doesn’t spread over into round 17 when the Chooks play a Sea Eagles outfit desperate to make amends for their current slump.
Should Pearce be unavailable to play next weekend following scans on Tuesday, hooker Craig Wing could possibly return to the
halfback role before he moves to Souths next season.
This wouldn't be the first time the Roosters have beaten the Rabbitohs to the punch.
Following the departures of Josh Lewis (Gold Coast) and Jamie Soward (SGI), it’s hard to see anyone else with the experience and calibre to keep the Roosters season afloat.
It wouldn’t be a bad move by Anderson considering Wing played in that position in 2002 when the mob from Bondi won their last premiership.
Canterbury move into 10th spot on the NRL ladder while the Roosters fall below the Dragons.
In Premier League, the Bulldogs retained their four-point lead at the top of the ladder after narrowly downing Manly 26-24 with dropped halfback Daniel Holdsworth scoring his fourth try from his fourth appearance in the lower grades.
Canterbury Bulldogs (38) Jarrad Hickey (2), Sonny Bill Williams (2), Daryl Millard, Cameron Phelps (2) Tries; Brent Sherwin (5/7) goals) d Sydney Roosters (6) Lopini Paea Tries: Craig Fitzgibbon (1/1) goals) Line Drop Outs: Roosters 4 Bulldogs 1 GRL Game Grade: 4 balls out of 10 - Read More, Here