Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Titans

[fletch]

Watching the NRLW game and the sun has been a big problem for players trying to field kicks also nearly 30 degrees today so will really test the players fitness.

[Roosterfarian]

Damn I hope we can keep our nerves together and just do the job with this one.

In the tradition of a good old Jizzy anecdote, I won my local parkrun yesterday against a field of weekend warriors (some quite competitive - including a bunch of 17-25 year olds who clearly had youth on their side).

I went out way too fast in order to make a point and got a lot of weird looks from a group of sharply dressed youngsters who were clearly used to being the front group, jostling for places (got the old gen-z 'looolz okay boomer, have your 200m of fame, then step aside for the pros, you stupid amateur'). I knew I'd gone out a little bit fast but I also knew myself and simply didn't wanna get tied up in a close competition with a stack of energetic youngsters.

First downhill stretch came about 600m in and the group passed me, while a few laughed, noting I'd killed myself on the first hill. I ignored them. Then come the second uphill section (about 1km in) I decided to blow them away. That I did (by again going a little bit too fast)... and then I held my target pace on the downhill. It was tempting to look back for the next km or so, but I was hitting my target pace and couldn't hear any other footsteps so I just held my target pace as I felt comfortable.

It was a 'there and back' run so at about the 3km mark I saw the group of jostlers about 2 minutes behind me (all competing with each other). It was at about this moment that I (unfortunately) took my foot off the gas as I realised it was only 1.5km to go and nobody was gonna catch me.

My final 1.5km involved high-fiving all the other runners/walkers/others as they ran towards the half way mark. This was pretty much like winning an Olympic gold medal [jokes] so I just sucked it in and cruised to the finish line.

Finish time was still low 17's (roughly a minute ahead of the next group) but I was aiming for mid-16's (was tracking for 15's at the start) at minimum and coulda done it if I'd stuck to my game so I was a little disappointed with myself but end of the day it's a fun run and I got the job done comfortably. I chatted with the main group of competitors afterwards (plus a local politician, who I politely refused a photo opportunity with) and we recalled some war stories about battling it out over the first kilometre. Love was shared, hands were shaken and we parted ways as friends.

Went and got a coffee and pancakes afterwards before jogging home. Was fun as other runners started packing out the cafe and looking over at me saying 'oi that's the guy who won it!!!' There was a sparkle in my eye as I shoved those sweeet sweet pancakes down my throat and washed them down with a flat white. If we were in Italy, I may well have had a glass of Prosecco instead of a coffee (or asked my barista to give me a few shots of grappa).

---

My advice to the Roosters? I wanna see you pace yourselves like I did today. Rev that engine a little harder than usual in the first 1/4 so that you can make them know you're serious. Then... steady the ship and hold a steady pace right up to the 3/4 mark. From there you can take JWH and co off the field and cruise over the line as the job's done and there's no point picking up injuries/suspensions purely so that you can further your PD.

The Titans are a young, cheeky team and if you get caught in a battle with them you may not win!!! As such, set your own pace early on by asserting yourself. Don't play their game... set the pace like a pro. This includes ignoring any temptation to do a big hit on that flog who backflipped on us. Fark the media's hype. He just used us to up his price after slacking around and being inconsistent. Titans have already been played and Gussie's form speaks for itself, so thanks for igniting the fire within him, Davo!!!

I'd wish the boys good luck but they don't need it. Please play well and don't fark around. Jizzy's signing out to do his 29km Sunday run before the game. Peace out fans!!!!

You’re a crack up izzy mun. Keep it going!

[fletch]

Trent Robinson has finalised his side to take on the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

This Round 25 clash will be the first time in the 117 seasons of the Roosters that ten Club Centurions have played together, having already achieved the feat of 100 first grade games for the club. Those are Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Nat Butcher, Victor Radley, Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins and Sitili Tupouniua.

One change has been made to the side, with Zach Dockar-Clay set to start at Hooker with Sandon Smith shifting to the interchange bench. Michael Jennings set to remain the side's 18th man.

[bondi.boy]

Hot day.
Our girls look heat-stressed a bit+ in the dressing room at half time.
Sun in the eyes of our FB as she tried to catch bombs in first half.

Our men's team has to play properly, full concentration for 80 mins, and not allow themselves go be ambushed.

[QWERTY]

Trent Robinson has finalised his side to take on the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

This Round 25 clash will be the first time in the 117 seasons of the Roosters that ten Club Centurions have played together, having already achieved the feat of 100 first grade games for the club. Those are Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Nat Butcher, Victor Radley, Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins and Sitili Tupouniua.

One change has been made to the side, with Zach Dockar-Clay set to start at Hooker with Sandon Smith shifting to the interchange bench. Michael Jennings set to remain the side's 18th man.

That’s a pretty cool stat you brought up.

[Lydon]

Dry track no excuses..

We need to win and cement top 2!

Go Easts

[kakaruk]

Adam g banger is running the show today so we won’t be winning the penalty count

[fletch]

Why did Tupouniua start did something happen to Butcher in the warmups?

[RoosterFanNZ]

what a fast start from both sides.

good try hope, bit hectic though

[RoosterFanNZ]

what a ****ing joke that is

[elo]

The Bunker is ****ing rigged, that was not a high tackle ffs.

[fletch]

Edge defense continues to be atrocious.

[fletch]

The Bunker is ****ing rigged, that was not a high tackle ffs.

He did clip him.

[Lydon]

Too soft

[RoosterFanNZ]

how is a hand flick a penalty.

becoming more like union day after day, getting involved when theres no need. titans player didnt even care.

but soft defence down our right