The Roosters may be in the race to sign Queensland half Daly Cherry-Evans, but their current number seven Hugo Savala proved that he has plenty to offer on Saturday night by playing a starring role in their 42-16 win over the Sharks at Industree Group Stadium.
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Featuring in just his ninth NRL game, Savala, 23, was a standout performer, scoring one try and setting up three others as the Roosters overcame the absence of five Origin players to defeat a lacklustre Cronulla side on the Central Coast.
Savala was on-song from the outset, setting up a double for Daniel Tupou in the opening 12 minutes with identical crossfield kicks.
Trailing 14-0, the Sharks opened their account in the 15th minute when Cameron McInnes brushed past debutante Benaiah Ioelu to score under the sticks.
11 minutes later, Savala would get on the scoresheet by backing up a right side raid started by Dominic Young, which also included a delicious flick pass from James Tedesco.
MATCH CENTRE: Roosters vs Sharks teams, scores, videos, updates
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After helping his side to a 20-6 lead at the break, the rookie half continued where he left off during the second term, with Ronaldo Mulitalo’s inability to defuse another Savala kick gifting Mark Nawaqanitawase the Roosters’ fourth in the 49th minute.
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The biggest cheer of the night would come five minutes later, when Tupou batted back a Sandon Smith bomb to help Xavier Va’a grab a try on debut – much to the delight of the entire bay of supporters who had turned up to the ground with custom jumpers bearing the youngster’s face.
Down 32-6, Cronulla showed some attacking spark midway through the second half scoring back-to-back tries to KL Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo, but it would be the Roosters who’d have the final say with late tries to Tedesco and Young enabling them to pass the 40-point mark.
RONALDO ON REPORT
After earning the ire of the Storm players last week with his constant sledging, Mulitalo found himself in trouble with the officials when he was put on report and sent to the sin-bin for a high shot on Nawaqanitawase in the 26th minute.
KL KEEPS CROSSING
KL Iro’s amazing scoring streak continued on Saturday night with the centre’s 59th-minute touch down meaning that he has now scored in eight straight appearances and equalled a record held by Sharks legends Steve Rogers and David Peachey.
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