Rich Roosters can be even better in 2019

Every year we get further away from the last time a team went back-to-back to win the premiership. It’s futile to attempt to explain why a team hasn’t defended their premiership in a consolidated competition since the Broncos in 1992-1993, because the reasons are unlimited. But with so little change in key positions, the Roosters will be lumped with the expectation in 2019. There is almost nothing to poke at in the Roosters’ line-up. They have perhaps the best players for their
position in the competition in the fullback and halves. The forward pack has lost Ryan Matterson and Dylan Napa, but ready replacements are already on the books. Plus — Angus Crichton. All signs are pointing to another huge year for the red, white and blue.Consistency in the spine. From the 2018 premiership-winning team the Roosters have lost Blake Ferguson, Dylan Napa and Ryan Matterson. They’ve been replaced with former Australia and New South Wales winger Brett Morris, English star Ryan Hall and Blues gun Angus Crichton. Not too shabby.

Cooper Cronk is set to become 4th NRL Player to reach 350 appearance

Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk is set to become just the fourth player to reach 350 NRL games in the opening round of the 2019 season against the Rabbitohs. Cronk is tied with Manly great Steve Menzies on 349 games and will join Terry Lamb, Darren Lockyer and Smith in the top four.

The 35-year-old could finish the year, and possibly his career, ranked second behind Smith overall with Lockyer's 355-game record also within reach. Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen requires 24 games to reach the 350-game milestone. Gallen managed 22 games in 2018 but will need a healthy clean sheet in a bid to pass Menzies as the longest-serving running forward.

Ultimate guide to the 2019 NRL pre-season: Roosters

Squad: Mitchell Aubusson, Egan Butcher, Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Cooper Cronk, Joshua Curran, Poasa Faamausili, Jake Friend, Ryan Hall, Luke Keary, Brock Lamb, Bernard Lewis, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Latrell Mitchell, Brett Morris, Victor Radley, Billy Smith, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, James Tedesco, Zane Tetevano, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Coach: Trent Robinson

What needs work?: Winning the premiership ensures a difficult pre-season as the team tries to go to a new level despite reaching the summit — not to mention the World Club Challenge headache.

They have lost Blake Ferguson, Ryan Matterson and Dylan Napa and will use Brett Morris and Angus Crichton to help plug the holes. Not too shabby.

Talking point: There is always talk of whether a team can win back-to-back titles in the current era. Expect plenty of it with this star-studded squad.

Trials

February 18, 6am (AEDT)

v Wigan Warriors at DW Stadium

February 23

v Panthers at Panthers Stadium

March 2, 7pm

v Sea Eagles at Central Coast Stadium

Round 1

March 15, 7.55pm

v Rabbitohs at Sydney Cricket Ground

Cronk's bravery shines in another year of scandal

It is hard to go past Cooper Cronk's unbelievable bravery to play with a broken scapula in the Sydney Roosters triumph against his former club Melbourne. The Roosters went above and beyond to keep everybody guessing about whether Cronk would play. The halfback himself remained unsure all week, so to remain on the field and bark orders the
way he did will never be forgotten. Cronk's evil glare at former friend Cameron Smith after he tried to hammer his shoulder was just as memorable. As club doctor, Ameer Ibrahim, said of Cronk's injury at the time: "It’s the most heroic thing I’ve ever seen. That fracture is what you see with motorbike accidents and car accidents. That's 11 out of 10 pain."

Roosters: NRL 2019 Round 1 predicted team

Roosters: NRL 2019 Round 1 predicted team: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Latrell Mitchell, Brett Morris, Luke Keary,
Cooper Cronk, Jared Waerea, Haregreaves, Jake Friend, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Victor Radley, Isaac Liu, Lindsay Collins, Zane Tetevano, Mitchell Aubusson

Controversy as 'disappointed' Blake Ferguson refuses Blues invite

Blake Ferguson's hopes of a NSW recall appear to be on rocky ground after he rejected Brad Fittler's invitation to take part in a Blues bonding camp on Friday. The Parramatta marquee recruit decided against attending the event at NSWRL headquarters, instead choosing to train with his Eels teammates.

His relationship with Fittler was strained after he was dropped for this year's series. Ferguson lost his right wing spot to Tom Trbojevic after it was revealed he was drinking at a Lennox Head pub five days before the 2017 State of Origin decider. He later said he was "disappointed" at not receiving a phone call from Fittler given he was an incumbent.

Cronk eyes back-to-back titles with Chooks

Cooper Cronk has "no idea" how a side can muster the hunger to achieve back-to-back NRL titles, admitting he has fallen into the mental traps that come with a premiership ring. After 15 seasons, five grand final wins from eight deciders, 349 NRL games, 38 Tests, 22 Origins, two Dally Ms and a Golden Boot, there isn't much the 35-year-old hasn't achieved. However being a part of a side to win two straight premierships is one of the few things missing from the Roosters maestro's glittering resume.

He's gone close several times and even lifted the Provan-Summons Trophy in 2017 and 2018. But that was with two different sides - Melbourne and the Roosters. And with no team over the past quarter of a century having found a way to back-up, how does Cronk expect the Tricolours to in 2019? "I've got no idea," Cronk said. "A lot of teams have spoken about it, a lot of teams have tried to do it. A lot of teams have failed over a long period of time. "For me, I don't think an individual award or a grand final achievement is ever really the peak for me as an individual. It's always a great achievement but there's always some other mountain to climb.

Cronk to be fit for opening NRL round

Cooper Cronk will be fit to kick off Sydney Roosters' NRL premiership defence after undergoing successful surgery on his shoulder. Cronk's herculean effort to play through the grand final with a fractured left scapula will go down in premiership folklore, and he was required to have a plate inserted after the match. Off-contract at the end of 2019, the Roosters confirmed on Tuesday Cronk will have no issue running out against South Sydney in the opening round at the SCG.

Former Rabbitoh Angus Crichton will also be available after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder to fix an ongoing issue. Fellow forward Zane Tetevano was also injured in the grand final win over Melbourne, but will recover from his ruptured bicep in time for round one in March. But the news isn't so good for newcomer Ryan Hall, who is still expected to miss the start of the campaign after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Wigan last Super League season.

Sydney Roosters NRL 2019 Draw

The NRL have announced the official 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership draw ahead of the new season that will kick off in March.  Members and fans can now start penciling in their key fixtures from what's sure to be an exciting campaign for the Roosters as they write a new chapter playing at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Fans will be treated to 11 home games in 2019, with one of those games to be contested at Central Coast Stadium against the North Queensland Cowboys, as well as a fixture to be taken to Adelaide Oval that will soon be confirmed.
 

The Roosters will participate in NRL Magic Round in Round 9, where all 16 clubs will play a Premiership match at Suncorp Stadium. We will be facing the Canberra Raiders on Magic Round on a Sunday afternoon.  Interstate Members are encouraged to pencil in the key dates at Suncorp Stadium, while we'll also be in Melbourne for a Grand Final rematch at AAMI Park in Round 6 and a trip to Canberra in Round 21. Our first round fixture will be contested at the SCG against our arch-rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

James Tedesco named Roosters' best player

Sydney Roosters' fullback James Tedesco has capped a memorable season, winning the Jack Gibson Medal as the outstanding player for the NRL premiers. A high-profile off-season recruit, Tedesco polled the most votes in an award that pays tribute to the Roosters' 1974-95 premiership-winning coach. It's the latest recognition to come Tedesco's way since his switch to the Roosters after spending six years at the Wests Tigers.

The 25-year-old last month collected the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW's best player in the Blues' State of Origin campaign. On the strength of his contribution to the Blues' Origin series win over Queensland and his standout form during the Roosters' surge to a 14th premiership, Tedesco has been anointed as Billy Slater's replacement at fullback for the Kangaroos. He was one of five debutants on Monday named in Mal Meninga's 19-man Australian squad for Test matches against Tonga and New Zealand later this month.