The Mole’s ratings: Sharks ‘mismatch’ exposed as Mad Monday awaits
The Roosters are now one match away from a grand final after accounting for the Sharks with a comprehensive victory.
Following a tight first half, the Tricolours ran away with the result in the second 40 minutes, showing off their ability in attack.
Daniel Tupou scores for the Roosters. NRL Imagery
Nine.com.au’s The Mole has rated every player from the Roosters and Sharks.
1. James Tedesco
Safe in the last line of defence and scored a late try to put the knife into the poor Sharks.
Rating: 7.5
2. Daniel Tupou
Scored one of his trademark tries from a bomb and ran his team out of trouble time after time.
Rating: 7
3. Billy Smith
Didn’t do a lot in attack but produced the defensive play of the night, knocking the ball out of Trindall’s hands when he looked set to score.
Rating: 6.5
4. Robert Toia
Quiet in the first half but warmed up in the second when he got some ball with room to move. Now truly one of the NRL’s elite centres.
Rating: 8
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Wonderful again, scored two tries and produced a moment of magic with a flick pass over the sideline that led to Watson’s try.
Rating: 8
6. Hugo Savala
Once again proved a great foil for DCE, having a hand in a couple of tries and kicking the ball superbly.
Rating: 8
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
Nicho Hynes and Daly Cherry-Evans. Getty Images
Controlled the game from start to finish, scoring a solo try and putting players through holes and over for tries against the disorganised Sharks defence.
Rating: 9
8. Naufahu Whyte
Didn’t get more than 26 minutes due to injury but set the scene early with some big runs.
Rating: 6
9. Reece Robson
Gave good service out of dummy half and ran the ball more than he has for some time.
Rating: 7
Roosters hooker Reece Robson. Getty Images
10. Lindsay Collins
Has been among the form front-rowers in the big games, scoring the opening try to put the Roosters on the front foot after just two minutes.
Rating: 8
11. Salesi Foketi
Broke through the Sharks defence in the opening 90 seconds to help create the first try and strong throughout.
Rating: 7
12. Siua Wong
Soild performance, with a lovely pass to put Tedesco over his highlight.
Rating: 6.5
13. Victor Radley
A solid, disciplined performance, giving good service to the Roosters’ speed machines and hitting hard… as always.
Rating: 7
14. Connor Watson
On the spot to score one of the great finals tries after the ball went through 10 sets of Roosters hands.
Rating: 6
15. Spencer Leniu
Didn’t do a lot in 25 minutes of game time but showed discipline, which is what his coach wanted.
Rating: 6
16. Nat Butcher
Continued his good form off the bench, running for over 100 metres in 43 minutes of game time.
Rating: 6.5
17. Angus Crichton
Enjoyed his return to football after three months out, working his way back slowly off the bench.
Rating: 6
Cronulla Sharks
1. William Kennedy
Sharks fullback Will Kennedy. Getty Images
Had a marvellous season but couldn’t make an impact in the game that really mattered.
Rating: 5
2. Sione Katoa
Scored a good try, ran well - but his battle under the high ball with Tupou, a head taller than him - was a mismatch.
Rating: 5.5
22. Mawene Hiroti
Injured his knee when he collided with the fence midway through the first half and was unable to continue.
Rating: 3
4. KL Iro
One of the Sharks’ big hopes in attack ran for 130 metres but never really threatened the well disciplined Roosters defence.
Rating: 5
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo. Getty Images
Finished second in his battle with Nawaqanitawase but plenty of wingers have been in that situation and was one of his team’s better players.
Rating: 7
6. Braydon Trindall
Clearly favouring his bung shoulder, put in a brave performance to lay on two tries and kicked intelligently.
Rating: 7.5
7. Nicho Hynes
Lasted less than two minutes after getting his head in the wrong position making a tackle. Grade 2 but then failed HIA.
Rating: 0
Nicho Hynes came from the field and failed a HIA in the opening minutes of the Sharks’ semi final against the Roosters. NRL Images
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
Led the Sharks in run metres and was a constant danger when taking the ball forward.
Rating: 7.5
9. Blayke Brailey
Kept his team in the game for 60 minutes with his smart ball distribution and running from dummy half.
Rating: 8
10. Jesse Colquhoun
Tireless worker in a well beaten team, never far off the ball in attack or defence.
Rating: 7
11. Briton Nikora
Missed Hynes - his go to man in attack - more than any player on the field and well below his dangerous best.
Rating: 5.5
12. Teig Wilton
Finished his best NRL season on a solid note, taking a power of stopping every time he charged into the defence.
Rating: 7
13. Cameron McInnes
Only made 50 run metres in his final Sharks game but a rock in defence.
Rating: 6.5
14. Siosifa Talakai
Had a massive impact off the bench when he came on at 0-12 after 20 minutes, setting up the try that got the Sharks back in the game.
Rating: 7
Siosifa Talakai. Getty Images
15. Billy Burns
Full of enthusiasm when he got his chance in the middle and should have had a try assist but for great last-ditch Roosters defence.
Rating: 6
17. Thomas Hazelton
Workaholic forward added plenty of momentum when he got his chance off the bench.
Rating: 6.5
20. Niwhai Puru
The biggest game of his short career and struggled with the pressure of the occasion after replacing Hynes in the opening moments.
Rating: 4
