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The Sydney Roosters have moved to the top of the NRL ladder with a hard fought 12-10 win over the Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium.
ROOSTERS 12
BRONCOS 10
The win though has come at a huge cost with Jared Waerea-Hargraves out for the rest of the season, and Mitch Pearce out for multiple weeks.
>>MATCH REPORT: JWH injured as Roosters claim top spot
Both suffered knee injuries in an opening half dominated by the Roosters, who failed to put it on the scoreboard.
They gained over 600 metres more than the Broncos, in the opening half, but only scored once.
In the 11th minute, they opened the scoring, with a penalty to James Maloney.
Jared Waerea-Hargraves would then be injured in the next minute, after a bunch tackle from Brisbane, with Pearce joining him four minutes after that.
He would fall awkwardly on his knee, after a long pass from Jake Friend, as he neared the goal line for the Roosters.
This didn’t stop the momentum and they almost scored twice in the middle of the half.
Friend though would knock the ball on, near the goal line, with another try disallowed after a knock on from Brendan Elliot from a marking contest after a kick.
In the 30th minute though, Elliot made amends, and scored the opening try of the match.
The Roosters would lead 8-0 at half time but could have been 20 to 30 points up.
Brisbane almost made them pay, as they came back in the second half, to fall just short.
They opened the scoring in the second half, with a great try to Jordan Kahu, after some great passing from the Brisbane halves and hooker.
This put the score at 8-6 as the Roosters responded immediately after a mistake from the Broncos.
They would turn the ball over, at the restart, as the Roosters went into attack.
On the final tackle, the Roosters kicked in goal, as Kahu looked to have an easy play to put it dead.
Instead he dropped the ball and Boyd Cordner scored to give the Roosters a 12-6 lead.
That try would be costly as Brisbane would struggle to overtake Sydney at the end for a win.
They got one try, to Corey Oates in the 60th minute, but missed the conversion to level the scores.
This set up a frantic final 18 minutes as Brisbane tried to score the winner, and the Roosters tried to hold on with almost no bench to use.
The Broncos couldn’t create the chance and the Roosters held on for a huge win in the context of the season.
They now move to 36 points and are top of the NRL ladder on points for and against.
Brisbane remain in second, on for and against, but are joined by the Cowboys who are also on 36.
This sets up a cracking final two weeks for the minor premiership.
The Roosters now face the Sea Eagles at Brookvale, with the Broncos facing the Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.
If finals football is like Saturday night’s game, then football fans will be in for a treat.
Top spot is on the line as the Sydney Roosters host the Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:30pm (AEST).
This match will play a major factor in deciding the minor premiership and its $100,000 prize money.
If the Roosters win, they take top spot with a better for and against than Brisbane.
If the Broncos win, they will move two points clear of the Roosters, and inch closer to their first minor premiership since 2000.
This match is a genuine four pointer.
Both teams are also in form after important wins last week.
The Broncos bounced back, after two losses, to smash a depleted Dragons 32-8 at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roosters, on the other hand, made it nine wins in a row with a 28-18 win over Parramatta.
The Roosters have Brendan Elliott coming onto the wing, Blake Ferguson moving to the centres, Mitch Aubusson moving to the bench, and Suaia Matagi the 18th man.
Brisbane have made no changes after the win against the Dragons.
In the last 15 matches between these two, Brisbane have won 10 and the Roosters five.
At Allianz Stadium the Broncos have won eight of the last 10. It is a handy record for the Broncos ahead of a huge match.
Prediction
The Roosters are on a hot streak, but have lapsed at times in the last few weeks, and streaks are meant to be broken.
Brisbane by 4.
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