Electrifying Roosters stun lackluster South Sydney

The Sydney Roosters have announced themselves to be a threat for the rest of the competition with a complete domination of South Sydney this afternoon at ANZ Stadium.

The Roosters opened their account early in the tenth minute when Nick Kouparitsas kept the ball alive for Mitchell Pearce to score in the corner, and Todd Carney continued his golden run with the boot and kicked the conversion.

The Roosters compounded their advantage when an errant Souths pass was snapped up by Shaun Kenny-Dowall who strolled in to make it 12-0. Souths clawed their way back slightly, when a pinpoint kick by Chris Sandow found Nathan Merrit in the cornerr, making it 12-6 going into halftime.

Tom Symonds was the only injury to come from the first half, leaving the field on a stretcher after hyperextending his left knee. Braith Anasta had a headclash with Fetuli Talanoa but refused to leave the field.

Souths came out after half time determined to fight their way back into the game in the second half, but it was the Roosters who drew first blood, with Todd Carney slotting a penalty kick to take their advantage to 8.

From then on, the Sydney Roosters weren't going to be stopped. A magical tap-back from Todd Carney gave Sam Perrett a miracle try to break Souths spirits. This opened the floodgates for the Roosters who dazzled the crowd with tries to Aiden Guerra, a second to Mitchell Pearce and finally another to Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Todd Carney missed his first goal in Roosters colours, but by this stage it was of little consequence, with the score blowing out to 36-6.

Nathan Merrit collected his second try in a consolation for the Bunnies who were throughly out-played and out-muscled by the lesser known Roosters pack - leaving the final score of 36-10.

Next week South Sydney are back at ANZ Stadium taking on the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night and the Sydney Roosters head back down the road to take on the West Tigers.

Match Details South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 were defeated by Sydney Roosters 36 National Rugby League - NRL - Round 1 - Sunday March 14, 2010 3:00pm Venue: ANZ Stadium Referee: Ashley Klein and Tony De Las Heras Video Referee: Steve Clark Touch Judges: Steve Chiddy and Gavin Morris Crowd: 23,149 Halftime: South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 Sydney Roosters Sydney Roosters 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Todd Carney (5 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)
2 Points - Nate Myles
1 Point - Shaun Kenny-Dowall (2 Tries)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (10)
Tries: Nathan Merritt (2)
Conversions: Issac Luke (1/2)

Sydney Roosters (36)
Tries: Sam Perrett, Mitchell Pearce (2), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (2), Aiden Guerra
Conversions: Todd Carney (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Todd Carney (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to a cloudy ANZ Stadium for the 200th meeting of these fierce rivals. Earlier today, South Sydney's u20 team ran out 30-26 winners against the Roosters u20 side.
South Sydney are as named while the Roosters make several changes with James Aubusson starting on the bench with Nick Kouparitsas to start, also Ben Jones drops off replaced by Daniel Conn.
1 min: Players are on the field and we're ready for kick off, with South Sydney who kick off.
2 min: First penalty to South Sydney when the ball is stripped from Sam Burgess' grasp. Souths now attacking in Roosters half.
3 min: John Sutton drops the ball in a good attacking position and the Roosters breath a sigh of relief.
4 min: Another penalty to Souths after Roosters don't move off the tackled player quick enough.
5 min: Burgess drops the ball close to the Roosters line in a simple carry, with Minichello dropping it as well making it a double knock on and a scrum.
7 min: Souths get their third consectutive penalty when the Roosters don't retreat the ten metres and are on attack again.
8 min: Sam Burgess off the penalty makes a huge line break and Souths are within the Roosters 20 but is wasted by Sutton who kicks the ball dead.
10 min: Dave Taylor drops the ball affording the Roosters some good field position and they take advantage getting a repeat set.
12 min: TRY
Nick Kouparitsas keeps the ball alive and passes the ball to Mitchell Pearce who touches down for first points in the game. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
16 min: Souths put in an attacking kick into the in-goal which is judged by a 20m tap, Video ref has a look but doesn't change the decision.
17 min: Rhys Wesser drops a John Sutton pass and compounded with conceding their first penalty. Roosters kick it downfield.
19 min: Todd Carney busts through the line and only has Wesser to beat but throws it forward to Mitchell Pearce and called by the referee.
21 min: Braith Anasta is heading off the field after a headclash, NO! Roosters are keeping him on.
23 min: Ben Lowe is penalised, allowing Roosters out of their own territory. They waste the opportunity by kicking it dead on the fifth tackle.
24 min: Fetuli Talanoa drops the ball from dummy-half and gives the Roosters a great chance to extend their lead.
25 min: Souths knock down the ball and it's deemed to be play-on and they get out of trouble.
26 min: Roosters concede a terrible penalty allowing Souths out of their own end and starting to attack.
29 min: TRY
Souths are attacking and try to throw the ball wide but is intercepted by Shaun Kenny-Dowall who runs the length of the field to score. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
32 min: Both teams hitting it up one out and getting into an arm wrestle just before HalfTime.
33 min: Chris Sandow tries for a chip and chase but knocks the ball on and is a little worse for wear after it.
35 min: Souths can't hold onto the ball, they drop it again through Rhys Wesser. The Roosters counter attack with a break through Anasta who passes to Tom Symonds who is ankle tapped and has hurt his ankle.
36 min: Tom Symonds hyper-extended his left knee and is being carried off by the Medicab, it doesn't look good for the young fellow. He'll be replaced by Aiden Guerra.
37 min: After the injury, Roosters get caught on fifth tackle and have to hand it over to Souths who are coming out of their own end, get a freakish bounce on last tackle which fools Carney who is trapped in goal.
39 min: TRY
Chris Sandow kicks the ball early, catching the Roosters winger in-field and allows Nathan Merrit to improve his try kicking record and get Souths back into the game. Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Sydney Roosters 12-6
40 min: HALFTIME - Roosters dominated the half with two tries but Souths score right on the verge of halftime to cut their advantage back to six points.
41 min: The teams are back on for the second half, with the Roosters set to get us under way through Braith Anasta.
42 min: Mitchell Pearce kicks it downfield looking for a 40-20 but just misses it and a scrum to Souths.
43 min: After a break by Sam Perrett, He plays the ball quickly and are caught inside the ten and penalised. Roosters deep on the attack.
44 min: PENALTY GOAL
Souths markers are caught not being square and penalised again. Roosters players talk and take the shot at goal. Penalty goal attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 14-6
45 min: A third straight penalty after a flop by Geddes, prompts the referee to caution the Souths players.
46 min: It's going upstairs to check for a Roosters try.
47 min: TRY
Todd Carney chases a chip kick down to the dead-ball line and bats it back in for Sam Perrett who puts the ball down for a try. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
48 min: Colin Best is caught close to the sideline and throws it back inside straight to Nate Myles who passes it to Aiden Guerra.
50 min: After the Roosters drop the ball close to the line, it's scooped up by Nathan Merrit who runs away and drops the ball changing arms with no one to beat.
51 min: Souths get a penalty and march deep into Rooster territory but the ball is dropped on a simple charge by Sam Burgess.
52 min: Todd Carney makes a break and is tackled with one to beat. Roosters on the attack.
53 min: We are going up to the video referee to check for a possible Roosters try.
56 min: TRY
In the next play, Anthony Minichello drifts across field and hits Guerra in a hole who barges over and scores. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 26-6
58 min: Chris Sandow tries to get his side back into the game by kicking a 40-20 and taking his team deep into the Roosters territory.
59 min: Souths attack is thawted by Mitchell Pearce who catches the ball in his in-goal.
60 min: Dave Taylor makes a break straight through the Roosters defense but is stopped by Carney and Phil Graham but Souths get a penalty anyway.
61 min: Beau Champion touches a pass intended for Merrit and it's judged a knock on, letting the Roosters off again.
62 min: TRY
Sam Perrett busts Souths line again and draws in the fullback and passes to Mitchell Pearce for another Roosters try. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 32-6
67 min: Aubusson makes a break but is ankle tapped in South's 20 but they can't capitalise and Souths is saved.
68 min: Souths make a break through Taylor who throws it to Champion who is in the clear but is gathered up by Nate Myles, who has had an outstanding game and is dropped by Issac Luke in a later tackle.
70 min: Souths are looking for some consolation points but it's stopped dead when Beau Champion drops the ball cold.
73 min: TRY
Shaun Kenny-Dowall takes a long pass from Mitchell Pearce and strolls past Talanoa and to the try line for his second. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney unsuccessful
Sydney Roosters 36-6
75 min: Todd Carney kicks it for Phil Graham who catches it and tries to basketball it to Aiden Guerra but it's deemed forward.
77 min: TRY
Souths spread the ball wide and Beau Champion makes up for his earlier error by throwing it to Nathan Merrit for his second try. Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Sydney Roosters 36-10
79 min: South recieve a late penalty after Frank Paul pushes someone off the ball.
80 min: FULLTIME - Souths keep the ball alive looking to make the scoreline more respectable but it's gathered up by the Roosters and the whistle confirms that the game is finished.