Wet Conditions Fail to Dampen Red-Hot Roosters' Return to SCG

Trent Robinson's men ran out to an 18-nil lead after as many minutes in what was a fast start and while the scrappy conditions allowed the Broncos to bridge the gap, the Red, White and Blue failed to waver, scoring six tries to three. 

Five-eighth Luke Keary had a memorable night out by setting up two tries and scoring what was ultimately the match-winner, while second rower Nat Butcher bagged his second double at the SCG this season, topping the tackle count with 40 to his name in the process. 

Running onto a damp SCG thanks to consistent showers, the Roosters were greeted by Members and supporters with a raucous cheer as they prepared to do battle. 

With strong charges from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Matt Lodge and Angus Crichton, the Tricolours made easy yardage on their opening set, forcing the visitors to start just five metres from their own try line thanks to a towering Sam Walker kick.

Winning the arm wrestle through the middle, the home side opened the scoring through Paul Momirovski following a freakish tap-on pass from Captain James Tedesco in the lead-up.

The Broncos' ill-discipline saw the Red, White and Blue downfield on the following set, and the deft boot of Walker saw Nat Butcher chase down a chip to touch down in the corner, extending the scoreline to 12-nil after just ten minutes played. 

Confident in the wet, Trent Robinson's men continued to punch holes through the defence with ease, with Walker missing the chance to dot down for a try of his own by just centimetres.

All of a sudden it was Crichton crashing over and planting the ball down from a slick pass provided by Luke Keary, with the Roosters keeping up with the clock courtesy of Walker's third conversion.

Just as the one-way traffic looked to continue, ill-discipline from the Roosters proved to be costly as the Broncos struck out wide through Corey Oates - but the 14-point lead was still a handy one after a quarter of the match played.

The cruel bounce of the Rugby League ball eluded both sides, with Oates fumbling the kick-off before a short drop out saw the Broncos regain possession as attacking opportunities were squandered with halftime looming.

An unfortunate obstruction penalty just ten metres from the line handed Brisbane a chance to close the deficit further, but the Bondi Wall proved too strong, forcing an error on Oates.

Kotoni Staggs burrowed his way over the line on an overlap, but a desperation tackle from Terrell May, Sam Verrills and Daniel Tupou saw the ball held up in another stellar defensive effort.

The prowess of the Bondi Wall didn't stop there though, with Joseph Suaalii pulling off a crunching hit on Ezra Mam that got the SCG crowd on their feet before Victor Radley dislodged the ball from Oates' grasp with a similarly brutal shot. 

A scrappy final ten minutes in the first stanza saw the scores at 18-4 in favour of the Roosters, with plenty of work still to be done in the second period. 

It was a perfect start right after halftime as Nat Butcher crashed over for his second, while the defensive fortitude continued as Momirovski shut down Staggs close to the line.

Daniel Tupou went inches from extending his try-scoring streak, only to be brought down short of the line, and on the other end of the field, the Broncos capitalised through Oates, bringing the difference back to fourteen points with 20 remaining. 

The swing in momentum saw the visitors back within striking distance - with the dewy conditions proving costly in terms of handling - but the effort on effort desperation from the Roosters continued to hold out their opponents.

Those efforts were rewarded soon after as Luke Keary breezed past the defence to dummy his way through, and although the Broncos struck again, Suaalii scored to seal the result as the Tricolours registered another two all-important competition points. 

The Sydney Roosters will return to the SCG in Round 22 to take on the North Queensland Cowboys next Saturday in Members Round at the family-friendly time of 3pm. 

 

Sydney Roosters 34 (Nat Butcher 2, Paul Momirovski, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary, Joseph Suaalii tries; Sam Walker 5 goals) def Brisbane Broncos 16 (Corey Oates 2, Kurt Capewell tries; Adam Reynolds 2 goals)