Five Key Points: Round 20

The Sydney Roosters returned to the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 20 to host the Melbourne Storm.

Intense Opening

In what was set to be a fiery encounter, the opening exchanges saw plenty of passion from the players. 

As Melbourne completed their first set of the evening, front row heavyweights Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Christian Welch collided in the middle of the park as the Roosters enforcer, with the help of Jake Turpin, delivered a bone-rattling shot on his opposite number.

Inspired by the alpha of his pack, lock forward Nathan Brown stepped up just a few minutes later to deliver a heavy hit of his own on Justin Olam, as he came racing out of the line to stop the Storm centre in his tracks. 

Easts Guard their Try Line

With Melbourne pressing their line, two spectacular defensive plays from the Tricolours turned their opponents away early in the contest.

Hooker Harry Grant looked certain to score just four minutes into the match as he sold a dummy to find space and make his way into the in goal, but a superhuman tackle from Sandon Smith and Jake Turpin managed to keep the ball up, with Joseph Manu and Lindsay Collins diving in to assist their cause.

Melbourne looked threatening once more on the very next play as a cross-field kick from Cameron Munster was falling just short of the try line, but the situation was defused by Billy Smith who leapt above two Storm players to secure the football and clear the in goal. 

Roosters Open Their Account

With the minutes counting down in the first half and the only points on the board coming from a Melbourne intercept try, the home side looked to even up the contest before heading to the sheds.

Coming out of their own half, an offload from Daniel Tupou allowed Captain Luke Keary to break the line and charge 40 metres upfield, putting their opponents on the back foot.

Trent Robinson’s men took advantage of the situation, spreading the ball out wide and fittingly finding points with a try in the corner to Tupou who sparked the attacking raid moments earlier 70 metres upfield. 

Tupou Ties Record

With three minutes left in the match, the Roosters attacked their opponents’ line in search of consolation points.

A perfectly executed play out the back saw Tupou receive a stunning bat-on pass from Manu which sent him over for his first double of the season.

The try lifted his career tally to 139, equalling the record of Club Legend Anthony Minichiello.

Wong Scores First NRL Try

Just two minutes after Tupou crossed the stripe for the 139th time in the Red, White, and Blue, Siua Wong crossed for his very first.

Playing in just his second career first grade game, Wong ran a brilliant line between two defenders as he charged onto a short ball from Brown before beating Nick Meaney to dive over and score.

It’s a sight that Roosters fans might become accustomed to, as the powerful backrower has averaged a try every four to five games during his tenure in NSW Cup.