Roosters's Mitchell Pearce tackles South Sydney's Kirisome Auva'a. Source: News Corp Australia
MITCHELL Pearce take a bow.
After another year of being bashed and belittled, the Roosters halfback is again poised to have the last laugh after leading his team to a thrilling 22-18 win over Souths before 32,481 sodden fans on Thursday night.
Pearce laid-on all three of his side's tries, which shot the hosts out to a 22-2 lead before Souths came roaring home with three of their own to set up a dramatic final five minutes.
Rooster's Anthony Minichiello takes a bomb. Source: News Corp Australia
But the Roosters held firm to record their sixth straight victory and keep their chances of back-to-back minor premierships alive.
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There were mammoth hits, classic cover tackles, breathtaking runs and exquisite set plays.
There was palpitation in the stands, simmering tension of the field below and 106-years of rivalry in the mix.
But that wasn't the best part of Thursday night's epic. The best part is that we could be spoiled with an encore in the first round of finals matches next weekend.
If the rugby league gods are kind enough to allow it, then heaven help us.
James Maloney makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia
The Roosters might have won but the Rabbitohs will fancy their chances after roaring back from the dead to almost steal victory with three late tries in the final 15 minutes.
Having notched six straight wins, the Roosters are now a chance for back-to-back minor premierships — but only if first-placed Manly lose in Townsville on Saturday night.
Should the Sea Eagles hang on to top spot, these two bitter enemies will remain in second and third, meaning they will square-off on the same battleground next weekend.
Sam Burgess tackled by Sonny Bill Williams. Source: News Corp Australia
Thursday night's war appeared won when Pearce set-up his side's three tries before the 50-minute mark to have the Roosters flying at 22-2 ahead.
Playing their final home game, Anthony Minichiello and Sonny Bill Williams were superb, while prop Sam Moa dominated up the middle.
But the final quarter belonged to Souths, with Dylan Walker, Alex Johnston and Lote Tuqiri all crossing to set up a dramatic finale that befitted a tremendous contest.
Tom Burgess tackled by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Source: News Corp Australia
The intensity level took just 60 seconds to reach State of Origin proportions, with Sam Burgess pummelling Pearce at the end of the first set.
Hostilities refused to abate from that point on as the game's oldest rivals peppered each other with enough big hits to fill a Jukebox.
Roosters enforcer Jared Warea-Hargreaves was responsible for most, shooting out of the line like a human torpedo to destroy his enemies.
His front row partner Moa ran the ball with equal vigour, while Mitchell Aubusson showed great thrust from dummy half in the absence of Jake Friend.
Daniel Tupou scores for the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia
Their combined efforts were instrumental in giving the Roosters to early ascendancy in a match that oozed mutual respect, so much so that both teams chose to open their accounts with penalty goals inside the first 13 minutes.
The Roosters, however, grabbed a decisive break in difficult conditions five minutes later when Anthony Tupou crossed fro the first half's lone try.
The towering winger benefited from a breathtaking run from Pearce, who was dispossessed on the line after slicing through and stepping past three defenders.
The men upstairs ruled opposite No. 7 Luke Keary had stripped the ball, which made it's way
left to the grateful grasp of Tupou.
Souths should have levelled in the 23rd minute, but an uncharacteristic mistake from Inglis — not the last before halftime — cost them.
Issac Luke tackled by Jackson Hastings. Source: News Corp Australia
Inglis looked certain to score when he burst clear twenty metres out, but was cut down. Instead of sliding across, he elected to flick pass in panic and the ball rolled into touch and out of danger for the ragged Roosters defence.
Five minutes later it was deja vu — Inglis again running free with the line in his sights.
Only this time he collected the ball 90 metres out after a Tupou bat-back had gone awry. Rabbitohs fans began celebrating when he broke clear, but were left gob-smacked when Pearce came from nowhere to overhaul their hero 70 metres downfield and complete the season's most memorable cover tackle.
It appeared to stun Inglis, who then failed to find touch from a penalty five minutes before the break.
Roosters's Mitchell Pearce tackles South Sydney's Kirisome Auva'a. Source: News Corp Australia
Five minutes on the other side of halftime, and the entire Rabbitohs side was reeling after conceding eight points and a man to sin-bin before many in the huge crowd had regained their soggy seats.
Moa again was the spark plug, sending Williams upfield with a sublime offload.
The dual International found Pearce, who was tackled but held down too long by Kirisome Auva'a. The centre was swiftly marched, allowing James Maloney to extend the lead to 10-2.
Then came the real damage, all inflicted while Auva'a was cooling his heels.
Russell Crowe looks on. Source: News Corp Australia
From the next set Williams put Pearce into the clear, with Minichiello backing up to post a sentimental four-pointer.
Soon afterwards Maloney christened his best performance of 2014 with a deserved try, again from the work of Pearce.
The left upright also played a role, knocking Pearce's kick into Maloney's arms to blow the score out to 22-2 with almost half an hour remaining.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 22 (J Maloney A Minichiello D Tupou tries J Maloney 5 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 18 (A Johnston L Tuqiri D Walker tries I Luke 3 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Morris. Crowd: 32,481.
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