Round 1
Rabbitohs 22 l. Roosters 40

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ben Walker [HB] 10 Pts; 1t, 3/3g
John Sutton [F8] 4 Pts; 1t
Yileen Gordon [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Nathan Merritt [WG] 4 Pts; 1t

Sydney Roosters
Amos Roberts [WG] 14 Pts; 2t, 3/4g
Craig Fitzgibbon [PR] 6 Pts; 3/3g
Anthony Minichiello [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
Ryan Cross [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Iosia Soliola [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Brett Finch [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
Jamie Soward [HB] 4 Pts; 1t



Morley incident sours Roosters comeback
Sun March 12, 2006
Premiership favourites Sydney Roosters came from 18-6 down at halftime to defeat arch-rivals South Sydney 40-22 but the impressive comeback has been over-shadowed by a high tackle from Adrian Morley, which was missed by match officials at the time.

Morley cleaned up Souths halfback Ben Walker when the Rabbitohs were up 18-12 with the Roosters taking the ball up to the other end of the field for Iosia Soliola to score. That try was quickly followed up by tries to Jamie Soward and Amos Roberts with the Roosters all the sudden leading 28-18 and the momentum took a massive swing with the Rabbitohs frustrated at the injustices by match officials.

Referee's have the power to call for the replay for any form of foul play leading up to the try and replays weren't available to match officials prior to the try. There's been a new rule change where any tackle at the head, even with the shoulder is regarded as a high tackle. The incident was pretty and when it was later picked upon by match officials, the damage was done with the Roosters benefitting from the act. Morley being put on report didn't take back the try, give Souths a penalty in great field position leading 18-12 and of course the momentum changing.

The Roosters added two further tries through Brett Finch and a second to Roberts to lead 40-18. Souths scored right on fulltime when Nathan Merritt intercepted a pass from Finch to race 80m to score.

Early on the signs looked dangerous for the Rabbitohs when Ryan Cross made a break with Anthony Minichiello backing up on the inside to score with the Bondi boys leading 6-0. Souths staged a very spirited comeback and put on three tries through Walker, Yileen Gorden and John Sutton to lead 18-6 and were playing terrific and enterprising football.

The Roosters came out much stronger in the second half as the warm Sydney day took its toll on the bigger and slower Souths players. Cross scored three minutes into the second half to reduce the gap to a converted try before the Morley incident happened.

Souths coach Shaun McRae said, "It clearly changed the game, the whole incident, and I'll let the match review committee handle that. I don't know what would have happened but I'd reckon that incident probably had a major bearing on what could have happened."

The incident was a massive turning point and leaves a very sour note on the match and the result. The Roosters probably would have won but the officialdom leaves plenty to be desired and Souths were denied an opportunity to attack the Roosters line when leading 18-12. What might have happened is something we'll never know.

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