LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a surprising turn of events, a heavily depleted Roosters squad dismissed calls to pause the NRL during the State of Origin period by decisively defeating a full-strength Cronulla team 42-16 on Saturday night.
The Sharks faced not only their heavy loss but also the repercussions of a reckless high shot by winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who received a one-game suspension for what has been termed a 'dog shot' following an early guilty plea.
This incident marred an outstanding performance by the Roosters, who were missing five players due to Origin duties and contended with several injuries as well.
The ongoing Origin situation has reignited discussions around the necessity for a standalone period for representative games.
This commentary follows disappointing losses by teams like the ladder-leading Bulldogs against the struggling Dolphins, and a thrashing of Penrith by Newcastle, which left the four-time reigning champions at the bottom of the ladder.
The Roosters, however, turned the narrative around in Gosford, dominating Cronulla with a total of seven tries, compared to the Sharks' three.
Roosters halfback Hugo Savala stepped up impressively, showcasing his skills and potentially negating the club's interest in veteran Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
In what was described as the most mature display of his nine-game first-grade career, Savala not only scored a try but also contributed three assists, with his precision kicking being a highlight.
The Roosters quickly established a 14-0 lead within the first 15 minutes, thanks to two remarkable cross-field kicks from Savala that were successfully grounded by left winger Daniel Tupou.
Both tries were converted by Savala's halves partner, Sandon Smith, who finished the game with an impressive seven conversions from eight attempts, alongside a penalty goal.
Savala's future with the Roosters had previously come into question, especially if the team were to secure Cherry-Evans.
Nonetheless, with first-choice No.
7 Sam Walker still sidelined for another month, Savala and Smith have proven to be reliable playmakers at the NRL level, suggesting a promising partnership as the season unfolds.