Source : the age
The Roosters have had the overwhelming majority of possession tonight already (80 per cent).
As I type that, Spencer Leniu knocks on. Why is he on the field? Nat Butcher has a suspected knee injury.
Oh dear. Two knock-ons in about three minutes for Leniu against his former club. Leniu left the Panthers at the end of the 2023 season.
Roosters lead 6-0 after 13 minutes
Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards takes a high ball to get into the game but spills the ball minutes later as the tri-colours try and haul him over the sideline.
BOOM. Daniel Tupou has the Roosters’ first try of the night down the left wing.
It’s great work from Connor Watson a few plays earlier to get the Roosters on the front foot.
The men from Bondi shift the ball left, from Tedesco to Nawaqanitawase and finally to Tupou, who gets it right down in the corner. Nawaqanitawase’s last pass was out the ball of the hand. Classy.
Ordinary start from Penrith, which came about from that error from Edwards.
The conversion from the sideline is good.
Roosters lead 6-0 after six minutes
Taylor Losalu of the Roosters. Credit: Getty Images
No time for pre-game on the Roosters and Penrith match. We’re straight into it after that dramatic finish across the ditch.
Is tonight when Penrith break their horror run? It’s remarkable to think they haven’t won since Las Vegas.
I’m tipping a double from Mark Nawaqanitawase in the centres but Penrith to get back in the winner’s circle with a narrow win.
Isaah Yeo of the Panthers looks on during warm up. Credit: Getty Images
Wow. Scenes in Auckland.
With scores level, Reece Walsh (with “howling winds up his clacker”, according to Michael Ennis), kicks out on the full beyond the dead ball line. You wouldn’t read about it.
The Warriors get the penalty and Luke Metcalf steps up and boots a 50-metre shot at goal to win the game in golden point. Never looked like missing.
A brutal one for Walsh as his Broncos go down 20-18.
“It’s unreal,” Metcalf said. “I missed the field-goal … but it was so cool to ice that moment. We practise those kicks. No need to be nervous.”
Warriors try-scorers: Leka Halasima (30′), Edward Kosi (51′), Luke Metcalf (60′), Marata Niukore (64′)
Broncos try-scorers: Billy Walters (3′), Jesse Arthars (66′), Reece Walsh (73′)
The Warriors and Broncos can’t be split. 18-18 after 80 minutes.
Roosters and Panthers isn’t far away.
Reece Walsh scores a try against the Warriors. Credit: Getty Images
The half-time entertainment on grand final day in 2007 featured a player from the past, a player from the present, and a five-year-old dubbed a player of the future carrying the Provan-Summons Trophy on to the stage.
South Sydney great Jack Rayner was the former great. Darren Lockyer was the current champion. And a little blond-haired kid wearing the Coogee Dolphins jersey was none other than Hugo Savala.
Hugo Savala (second from right) with James Maloney in the Roosters sheds in 2015.
Savala will be wearing the Sydney Roosters’ No.7 jersey against premiers Penrith on Saturday night in just his fifth NRL game.
Ahead of the match, his mother, Teresa, recalled how Hugo was selected to join Rayner and Lockyer at the grand final because the NRL wanted the Dolphins to be represented to mark the five-year anniversary of the club losing six of its members in the Bali bombings.
She also remembered that Hugo – the second eldest of her four children – had to travel to Sydney Olympic Park a few times that week for rehearsals.
Lockyer had undergone knee surgery and hobbled while carrying the heavy silverware.
“I remember seeing Hugo’s little hands waving while he was treading all over Jack’s feet,” Teresa said.
There was a time, not so long ago, when the Roosters just couldn’t beat Penrith.
For seven long years, the tri-colours couldn’t eke out a win, but Trent Robinson’s men now have the chance to beat the premiers twice in five weeks. Should that transpire, I’m declaring the Penrith dynasty over.
Yes, they’re a good enough side to go on a winning streak and perhaps squeak into the top eight.
Billy Smith celebrates scoring for the Sydney Roosters against the Brisbane Broncos.Credit: NRL Photos
Some slight team changes for the Roosters tonight as per the club.
“Victor Radley moves to second row and Salesi Foketi takes the starting lock position. Chad Townsend will be the 18th man.”
Penrith are unchanged.
Roosters starting team: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia, Dominic Young, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Nat Butcher, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Salesi Foketi.
Roosters bench: Zach Dockar-Clay, Blake Steep, Spencer Leniu, Taylor Losalu.
18th man: Chad Townsend.
Penrith starting team: Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Luke Garner, Casey McLean, Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo.
Penrith bench: Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papali’i, Liam Henry, Izack Tago.
18th man: Daine Laurie.
Victor Radley will be hoping for a big game tonight. Credit: Getty Images
