Rising Star Hugo Savala Shines in Roosters’ 42-16 Rout, Leading the Charge Without Five Origin Stars
The Sydney Roosters delivered a commanding 42-16 victory over the Sharks on Saturday night at Industree Group Stadium, with young halfback Hugo Savala proving he is more than capable of stepping up in the absence of key players. At just 23 years old and playing in only his ninth NRL game, Savala showcased his talent by scoring one try and setting up three others, playing a pivotal role in the dominant win.
Savala’s influence was felt early on as he provided two precise cross-field kicks that set up Daniel Tupou for a pair of tries in the first 12 minutes, putting the Roosters in a strong position. Despite being down 14-0, the Sharks fought back when Cameron McInnes powered through to score in the 15th minute. However, the Roosters responded quickly, with Savala backing up a slick right-side raid, which featured a brilliant flick pass from James Tedesco, to score a try of his own.
The crowd erupted five minutes later when Tupou’s bat-back from a Sandon Smith bomb helped debutant Xavier Va’a score his first try for the club, delighting the supporters who wore custom jumpers bearing his face. With the Roosters leading 32-6 at halftime, Cronulla mounted a late fightback in the second half, scoring two quick tries through KL Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo to narrow the gap. However, the Roosters had the final say as Tedesco and Young both crossed the line late, sealing the 42-16 win and ensuring the Roosters’ dominance remained intact despite the absence of their five Origin stars.
