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Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calls for Roosters to axe Test player after 'try of the decade' completely ruined
Sydney Roosters fans are fuming over the team's defence and poor ball-handling after Mark Nawaqanitawase scored one of the greatest tries in NRL history, only for it to count for nothing. And Test player Victor Radley has come under scrutiny for some bizarre defensive efforts late in Friday night's game against the Bulldogs. Nawaqanitawase scored what many are calling the 'try of the decade' to give the Roosters a 20-18 lead against the ladder-leading Bulldogs. The former Wallabies winger somehow managed to hop on one foot and then chip the ball into the in-goal, before running out and back into play to ground the ball. NRL fans and commentators were blown away by the astonishing effort, with many describing it as one of the greatest individual tries they've ever seen. "That could be the try of the decade," commentator Mat Thompson said on Channel 9. Andrew Johns said: "No way. That was freakish." Unfortunately for Nawaqanitawase and the Roosters, it ultimately counted for nothing because the Bulldogs came back from 14-0 down to win 24-20. The Roosters only had themselves to blame, making a staggering 17 errors and completing at just 67 per cent. Despite bagging a double, Nawaqanitawase made six errors of his own and fumbled a number of high balls that gifted the Bulldogs good field position. The Bulldogs handled the slippery conditions much better, completing at 81 per cent. The Roosters handed the Bulldogs a gift of a try in the second half when Egan Butcher spilled the ball coming out from his line and watched Toby Sexton race away to make it 14-12. The Dogs then scored through Bronson Xerri in the 62nd minute and Matt Burton in the 73rd, with Burton's try proving the match-winner. But the efforts of Radley on the last two tries raised more than a few eyebrows. The England Test player was in perfect position to tackle both Xerri and Burton, but bizarrely he didn't even make an attempt on either. Radley might have been carrying an injury that prevented him from pushing off one leg, but Xerri and Burton both ran straight past him as the back-rower didn't even attempt a tackle. Fans were quick to call Radley out on social media, with some questioning whether he's still up to first-grade standard. There were calls for coach Trent Robinson to give Radley a stint in reserve grade and hand more playing time to some of the club's younger forwards. Great tackle number 12, pffft — GregM (@Gmeister67) May 16, 2025 It's like he doesn't want to defend in the middle — Taylor Losalu Stan Account (Harley) (@Swandog90) May 16, 2025 Oh man Victor Radley is a reserve grader these days — Wayne Pasterfield (@wpasterfield) May 16, 2025 That's the second time Victor Radley has been completely shat on by a play up the middle and let a player walk through to score. #NRLBulldogsRoosters — Lachlan Jeffery (@LachlanJeffery) May 16, 2025 Victor Radley embarrassed twice with blokes using footwork going inside him. — Jo (@SmokinJo21) May 16, 2025 Agree errors destroyed us. In the end it cost us the game. Middle defence has been embarrassing all year, too many soft tries and nothing has improved. Didn't have a Player that could win us the game at the death. Very disappointing loss. — Tones (@Tones68) May 16, 2025 In the end, Radley and the Roosters were only in that situation because of their atrocious ball-handling. Reporter Lachlan Jeffery wrote on social media: "So many errors by the Roosters. Not winning footy games with 64% completions and 18 errors (sic). Middle defence also embarrassing." Daily Telegraph columnist 'The Oracle' wrote: "Hoping that one day…..the Roosters will address their diabolical error rate which has plagued this club for over a decade. The Roosters completion rate has been the worst of any team, year after year." RELATED: Payne Haas hits back as Broncos player set to be ousted from club Calls for fresh investigation after $828m 'disgrace' in women's Origin Speaking after the game, Robinson said Nawaqanitawase was hurting after his error-laden game. The winger refused to do any media interviews and left Accor Stadium soon after the match. "The cost is really high of those (errors)," Robinson said. "He is a really good catcher, I think there is too much effort in the jump. It's not through lack of technique ... It's an easy fix. But those hurt tonight. I can understand Mark is hurting in there."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Burton trumps Nawaqanitawase as Dogs stun Roosters
Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored a contender for individual try of the decade, but Matt Burton had the last laugh as he led Canterbury to a stunning 24-20 comeback win over Sydney Roosters. On a helter-skelter Friday night at Accor Stadium, the Bulldogs produced a second consecutive successful second-half comeback as they recovered from 14-0 down at halftime. But the scoreline only told half the story of what essentially became a battle between Burton and Nawaqanitawase to lead their side to victory in front of 30,166 fans. And while Nawaqanitawase produced a moment that will live long in the highlights, it was Burton who won out as ladder-leading Canterbury went nine from 10 to start the season. Burton is in! 🔥 #NRLBulldogsRoosters — NRL (@NRL) May 16, 2025 The other story among it all was the battle for State of Origin selection, with this match also James Tedesco's last push to win back the NSW No.1 jersey. It was Tedesco who put Nawaqanitawase over for the night's first try with quick hands, as the Roosters ran out to their 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs then got back in the game at 14-12, before the Nawaqanitawase and Burton showdown started. The Bulldogs five-eighth struck first, targeting Nawaqanitawase with one of his famous torpedo bombs that the rugby union convert couldn't handle. On the next set, Burton produced the goods with ball in hand, running to the left, and passing back inside to the right to allow Bronson Xerri to go through the middle to score. Nawaqanitawase's try to hit back moments later had to be seen to be believed. The winger broke into space, brushed off a Stephen Crichton tackle, and hopped twice on his left leg to avoid going out. He somehow chipped ahead to narrowly keep the ball in play, and then pulled the ball back from over the sideline to get it down and make it 20-18. MARK NAWAQANITAWASE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! 🤯 #NRLBulldogsRoosters — NRL (@NRL) May 16, 2025 But Burton wasn't done with yet, again targeting Nawaqanitawase with a bomb that the 24-year-old spilled for his fifth error of the night to allow the Bulldogs back on the attack. And with six minutes left Burton capitalised, beating three Roosters to the line to score after some nice Bailey Hayward lead up play. Burton won't be part of NSW's halves when the team is read out after this round, but there is every chance he will be the dreaded 18th man and miss Canterbury's clash with the Dolphins next Thursday night. Nawaqanitawase also won't be in the side, but after 10 games in the NRL after switching from rugby union last year there is every chance he will one day play for the Blues. Meanwhile fellow NSW aspirant Spencer Leniu had an eventful night, charging off the back fence on three kick-off returns for the Roosters. He spilled the ball twice after smashing into the defence, and left Canterbury prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita with a concussion from the other hit up.
