Tedesco was given a very dubious reprieve for an act that sparked outrage.
Trent Robinson has slammed his side’s defence after the Roosters escaped with a 40-34 win against the Dolphins in the NRL on Friday night. Halfback Sam Walker starred for a Roosters side that was lucky to see captain James Tedesco stay on the field for what looked to be an obvious professional foul in the first half.
The Tri Colours raced out of the blocks after tries to Joseph Suaalii and Walker saw them jump out to a 12-0 lead in Perth. Max Plath pulled one try back after crashing over from dummy half for the Dolphins, before Walker added the Roosters’ third after a brilliant chip and chase for himself.
Felise Kaufusi crashed over again for the Dolphins before Plath and Tedesco were involved in one of the biggest talking points of the first half. The Dolphins hooker thought he’d done enough to get Tedesco sent to the sin bin after a quick play the ball left the Roosters captain out of position at the ruck, 10 metres out from his own try line.
Tedesco had just helped bring Jack Bostock down in the previous tackle when he was forced to spring to his feet to stop Plath scurrying towards the line. The Roosters captain was clearly not square at marker but proceeded to tackle Plath to the ground, prompting Dolphins players to throw their hands in the air and plead for a penalty from referee Ashley Klein.
Viewers fume over ‘disgraceful’ James Tedesco incident
“That’s a sin bin. Well that should be a sin bin,” league great Andrew Johns said in commentary for Nine. But referee Klein decided Tedesco’s indiscretion only warranted a six-again, with the Roosters dodging a bullet as he was allowed to stay on the field. Jamayne Isaako scored immediately afterwards to temper some of the anger from Dolphins players but viewers were incensed that Tedesco was allowed to remain on the field, denying the Dolphins a chance to press home their advantage further.
Isaako’s try and penalty goal made it 20-all at halftime and the Dolphins edged ahead after the break when speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow popped up in support to finish off a slick attacking move. Bennett’s men undid their good work with some sloppy mistakes though and it allowed the Roosters back into the contest, with Daniel Tupou grabbing a try and Sitili Tupouniua bagging a quick-fire double to set up a game-defining lead.
A Bostock try with 10 minutes to play and an Isaiya Katoa penalty goal reduced the deficit to six points to set up a grandstand finish. And despite the Roosters hanging on for the win to cement their spot in third on the ladder, coach Robinson was less than impressed by his side’s defence, which has conceded 64 points in the last two games.