The dream of back-to-back-to-back premierships is over for the Sydney Roosters after they were defeated 22-18 by the Canberra Raiders in their NRL semi-final on Friday night.
Canberra got sweet revenge on the team they were defeated by in last year’s grand final. They looked unstoppable early, going up 16-0 inside the first half-hour thanks to tries from Josh Papalii, George Williams and Joseph Tapine – the latter of which was one for the highlight reel.
James Tedesco crossed to put the Roosters on the board before half time, before Joseph Manu made it 16-12 with a try at the 57-minute mark, but an excellent tackle from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to force Tedesco over the sideline stopped the reigning premiers from taking the lead.
The night turned for the star Roosters fullback from that point, with a stumble attempting to field a kick leading to a Jack Wighton try that put Canberra up 22-12.
Vintage Sonny Bill Williams set up Tedesco’s second try of the night and set up a grandstand finish, but Teddy knocked on at a crucial moment to end the Tricolours’ title defence.
The Raiders will now play the Melbourne Storm in a preliminary final next Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Tomorrow night’s semi-final sees the Parramatta Eels tackle the South Sydney Rabbitohs, with the winner to take on Penrith in the other preliminary final.