The Sydney Roosters’ minor premiership hopes appear dashed after a disappointing 22-8 loss to a faultless Broncos outfit on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
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Final score
Sydney Roosters 8
Brisbane Broncos 22
A semi-final preview awaits as the Sydney Roosters take on the Brisbane Broncos, who are looking to cement their spot in the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm (AEST).
Only a week after a four-point win over the Rabbitohs saw the Roosters regain premiership favouritism, doubts over their credentials arose again when they fell to the Raiders 14-12.
The defeat saw them squander a valuable opportunity to move two points clear of the Storm on top of the competition table, although victory on Saturday night will almost certainly secure a home final for Trent Robinson’s men given that they play Parramatta the following week.
The Tricolours put in another determined defensive effort, restricting the Raiders to just one try.
However, they struggled to fire in attack and will be relieved at the return of five-eighth Luke Keary for Saturday’s clash with Brisbane.
They may also welcome back enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has been named on the extended bench.
Consistency has constantly eluded the Broncos in 2018 and after dismantling the Rabbitohs 38-18 last week, all eyes will be on Wayne Bennett’s men to see if they can back it up against another competition heavyweight.
If they do, they will certainly establish themselves as genuine dark horses for the premiership given their big-game experience.
Total concentration will be needed for the Broncos to topple the Roosters on Saturday night, something that was lacking in their victory over South Sydney last week.
After rushing out to an early 18-0 lead, Brisbane went on to concede the next three tries before going on to finish the job.
While they did eventually run away with the victory, the Roosters pose a far sterner test given that they have the best defensive record in the league.
Prediction
In a low-scoring contest, the class of Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk will guide the Tricolours to their 16th win of the season.
Roosters by 4.
As September draws closer, here at The Roar we will have you covered with all the action as the race for the premiership heats up.
Join us for live scores and a blog of Saturday night’s blockbuster, starting at 7:35pm (AEST).
Concerned Observer
Guest
I thought it took a lot of courage from Gus to brag about how Napa wasn’t charged last time while Macca’s C-spine was being cleared, what a see you next Tuesday
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I would have sent him off.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Blocker the worst of the lot for me. I reckon he picks a word out of the dictionary each game day to use in a match as often as possible with as much emphasis as he can possibly muster. LA-THARRR-GIC.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
???
Sylvester
Guest
The issue for the Warriors is they've been dominated by bigger packs a few times this year. If they hit the the Storm, Bunnies, Roosters etc, it'll be tough.
elvis
Guest
Considering he ran down Latrell Mitchell to whack the ball dead, he can't be going that slowly.
thomas c
Guest
Absolutely. And I think gus claimed McCullough stepped into it. McCullough doesn't have a step! When a player is down, your primary concern should be their welfare. As for Napa, I think you have to look at their coaching staff. He's either too uncoordinated to learn, they can't be bothered correcting his technique or they have him playing when he's tired and thus clumsy. A worse possibility is they encourage him despite the predictability of his injuring players.
thomas c
Guest
Shameful coverage by 9. When a player is unconscious, you should expend more words discussing their welfare than trying to make sure one of your preferred teams isn't inconvenienced. McCullough could have been dead and gus would have pointed at posthumous twitching and said "see, he's fine".
RM
Guest
So that's 2/2 against the Roosters, the Bunnies and the Sharks, as well as putting 50 on the Panthers this year. Dragons' form is shaky and the Warriors are the Warriors - who knows what you'll get? Melbourne is still a problem without an answer for the Broncos, but apart from them I'd be feeling pretty good in any match-up we get come the Finals. Now that I've said that...watch Manly spring a bloody upset next Sunday...
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
If they get their defence more consistent the Warriors can go all the way to the GF.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Match Report: The Sydney Roosters' minor premiership hopes appear dashed after a disappointing 22-8 loss to a faultless Broncos outfit on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium. The win was Brisbane's second in as many weeks over title contenders and is even more surprising given that only a fortnight ago Wayne Bennett's men were at risk of missing the finals. They ensured their spot in September on Saturday night and consequently sent massive shockwaves through the rest of the competition as another one of the heavyweights stumbled. In the afternoon's earlier game, South Sydney were ran down by a rampant Raiders outfit 24-12. And in the match afterwards, the Storm suffered a massive scare as they pipped the Titans 10-8. Saturday's results proved that this year's competition shapes as one of the tightest in history, with no side really commanding premiership favouritism heading into the final round of the regular season. The loss sees the Roosters sit two points adrift of the first-placed Storm while the Broncos move up into seventh place with a genuine chance of securing a home ground advantage in the opening weekend of the finals. Coming up against what was the best defensive side in the competition coming into Round 24, the Broncos took advantage of an early penalty in the fifth minute to kick out to a two-point lead. They quickly found themselves behind though after Blake Ferguson scooped up a Luke Keary grubber to score out wide. Ball handling plagued the Roosters all night and an error from Sio Siua Taukeiaho on the first play after points gifted the Broncos field position - and they capitalised with Corey Oates crossing over in the corner. Brisbane returned serve with Tevita Pangai-Junior dropping the ball in the ensuing set and a penalty saw the Roosters lock it up at eight points apiece after 20 minutes. The contest already had plenty of feeling in it, with two imposing forward packs bashing each other in the middle, but it turned ugly in the 23rd minute. Dylan Napa, who was controversially sin-binned in the Roosters' last meeting with the Broncos for an intentional head-high tackle, was again penalised for a similar effort which floored Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough. He was again marched for ten minutes and will potentially have a case to answer at the judiciary given his history of careless tackles. Brisbane quickly took advantage of the one-man overlap when Jamayne Isaako soared over out wide. A penalty in the 35th minute saw them extend their lead to six after Isaako failed to convert his own try. Three minutes later, miscommunication at the back saw James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou collide attempting to catch a bomb, with Kodi Nikorima picking up the scraps to give Brisbane a 20-8 lead at halftime. Brisbane afforded the Roosters few chances to get back into the contest, with Anthony Milford controlling the game brilliantly with his long-range kicking game. An Isaako penalty goal was the only points in the second half, seeing Brisbane run out 22-8 victors to prove they can go all the way in 2018.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep - you certainly came close. Fantastic effort by your blokes, pretty much faultless. Professional and clinical.
DP Schaefer
Guest
very true Scott, yet as has been pointed out, the first job is to make the 8. if you are there, anything can happen. Given the closeness of the comp, I'd reckon form may not be reliable and each day will bring its own challenges. I'm actually expecting Warriors to shake things up with their squad and a sense of nothing to lose. Not to win, but they could put the fear of God into anyone they face.
Brendon
Guest
Even if they lose to the Panthers, as long as there are no thrashing next week.... They are 40 up in PD now I think?
Aw
Guest
Nup they are finished. Weak and overrated side!!!
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Great call AJ...see I told ya Broncs would win this easy (almost had the predicted margin and game scenario down to a pat) Hope Macca is ok, but Jake Turpin should have first dibs against Manly. If he replicates what he produced on his debut against the Titans - Broncs will beat Manly by 10 tries in Sammy's last hurrah at Suncorp.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Still need to win next week to lock it up. If they lose and either Bunnies or Rooster thrash their opposition they might still lose it.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
To be fair Scotty Melbourne did at least get the job done this afternoon with a host of players out. I think it will be a completely different ball game come finals. At least that's the only hope I have as a Penrith fan.
Scott Pryde
Expert
This comp is all over the shop. Cronulla and Brisbane are the only two sides in the eight showing any sort of form.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
+1