Sam Burgess let the ball slip through his fingers at a vital stage of the game as South Sydney slipped from the top of the NRL ladder after losing to bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters 18-14 in a Friday night thriller.
No.1 with a bullet: Roosters fullback James Tedesco makes a break against the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
The one thing that is certain about these two old foes is they will both push deep into September.
Souths had cut an eight-point deficit to four points in the second half when Braidon Burns threw the ball behind him for Hymel Hunt to score in the corner. But just as Souths came steaming home, Burgess failed to take a simple pass near the Roosters line.
The powerhouse Englishman did not have the happiest night with his hands.
Souths enjoyed most of the possession and good field position, but the Roosters defence held up brilliantly, like it has all season.
Close call: Sam Burgess reacts after the Roosters score in the latest installment of a bitter rivalry.
It took some Burns magic to put Hunt over, while Adam Reynolds got lucky when a grubber bounced off his chest to score a first-half try.
The Roosters scored from their first attacking set when Victor Radley somehow kept his right hand on the ball and squeezed out an offload for James Tedesco.
Referee Gerard Sutton was so stunned by Radley's handling, he took an eternity to figure out what he wanted the Bunker to look at.
Hard to stop: Man of the moment Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters attempts an offload.
The Roosters' only other try came against the run of play in the 53rd minute when Boyd Cordner stuck out his boot to stop a Reynolds grubber. He chased hard after the ball and then passed it off the ground for Latrell Mitchell.
The next play, Blake Ferguson drifted across field and sent Joey Manu on his way. Manu was confident enough to stiffen his body and fall over the line to add some fair, which was appreciated by a section of the Roosters fans amongst the 26,331 ANZ Stadium crowd.
Only Melbourne can leapfrog the Roosters at the top of the ladder should they defeat Cronulla at home on Sunday afternoon.
It was the Chooks' fifth straight win.
Souths will remain in the top four and need to bounce back against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday.
The club had planned to ease Greg Inglis back from a broken thumb, but could be forced to fast-track those plans after Alex Johnston broke down with a hamstring injury in the second minute.
Roosters No.1 Tedesco also had an early exit due to concussion.
The Roosters got off to the worst possible start when Sio Siua Taukeiaho failed to grasp a Daniel Tupou pass on the first hit-up of the match.
Souths received a couple of penalties and played it safe by taking the two points.
The Roosters barely sighted the Souths line, and when they finally did, they were over on their first set.
Both teams were put plenty into their tackles, especially Dylan Napa, whose battle with the Burgess boys was another early highlight.
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