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The Sydney Roosters have held South Sydney tryless 12-4 on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium to book a grand final showdown with the Melbourne Storm next Sunday night.
The biggest talking point out of the game is a shoulder injury to Cooper Cronk, who took a backseat in the second half as Luke Keary steered the Tricolours to victory.
The Roosters may also be without Jake Friend, who was penalised for a dangerous tackle on South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis.
In a slog through the middle, errors and penalties cruelled both sides’ chances of building any real pressure.
The only try of the half came in the 16th minute when a lovely cutout pass by James Tedesco saw Daniel Tupou cross over out wide.
Outside of that instance, however, penalty goals were in vogue, with Adam Reynolds slotting two to lock things up at four-all at halftime.
The Roosters suffered a massive blow early in the second half, with Cronk hampered by a shoulder injury. He soldiered on though and his teammates stood up alongside him to put in one of the best defensive efforts of the season.
Trent Robinson’s men struck first in the second half when Joseph Manu popped an offload for Blake Ferguson who surged over out wide in the 48th minute.
Souths had several chances to strike back in the next 20 minutes but were continually turned away by a valiant Roosters outfit.
Despite boasting the competition’s best attacking record in the regular season, South Sydney looking anything but that in the second forty as they were held tryless.
A late try to rookie centre Paul Momirovski sealed the victory as the Roosters march on to their first grand final since 2013.
The health of Cronk will be a key turning point as the champion halfback struggled to get through the full eighty minutes.
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