Heroic Roosters go top but lose JWH for the season

A season ending injury to Roosters enforcer Jared Warea-Hargraves and a suspected torn hamstring to halfback Mitchell Pearce have over-shadowed a brave win by the Roosters as they made it 11 in row over the high flyng Brisbane Broncos.

The win elevates the Roosters to the top of the NRL ladder, but the big talking point from the match is how the loss of Warea-Hargraves and potentially Pearce until the finals will affect the side's chances of winning the title in 2015.

The game was billed as a possible dress rehearsal for the first Sunday in October and it lived up to the hype with a typical bruising encounter seeing the league's best attack and defensive sides come together in a pulsating match.

Defence dominated the early stages with both sides concentrating on completing their sets and trying to keep the opposition in their own half. It wasn't until Broncos centre Justin Hodges gave away a penalty right in front of the posts, that gave the Roosters a shot at goal right in front of the posts. James Maloney took up the offer and the Roosters took a narrow 2-0 lead after 11 minutes.

A minute later, in form prop Jared Warea-Hargraves went down clutching at his knee and limped from the field. Five minutes later, Jake Friend ducked through some tired defence and threw a long pass to an unmarked Pearce who managed to injure his hamstring as he desperately tried to grasp the opportunity. Pearce left the field and did not return in a horror 5 minutes for the Roosters.

Roosters centre Blake Ferguson then looked to have scored the first try of the night, after late inclusion Corey Oates missed a cross field bomb from James Maloney, which saw Ferguson pounce on the ball. Upon review, the reverse angle showed that Roosters winger Brendan Elliot got a finger on the ball and had knocked on before Ferguson grounded the ball. The video referee therefore overruled the on field decision.

Three minutes later some slick hands from Maloney and Ferguson put young Elliot in the clear and the Roosters had the first try of the night. Maloney added the extras to make it 8-0.

Ferguson was again in the thick of the action when he powered over Anthony Milford to score, however a deft touch by Corey Oates was enough for Ferguson to lose control and the score remained at 8-0.

The Roosters were again camped on the Broncos line as the halftime break closed in and Aidan Guerra crashed over, only for the pass from Jake Friend to be ruled forward and the Broncos breathed a sigh of relief, as they only trailing by 8 at the break.

The Broncos came out strong early in the second half and were rewarded when halfback Ben Hunt sent captain Justin Hodges into some space who provided a clear run for Jordan Kahu to put the Broncos back in the ball game at 8-6 after Kahu converted his own try.

The Broncos strong start was brought undone from the kickoff when young prop Mitchell Dodds knocked on running the ball back. The Roosters made the Broncos pay, when Boyd Cordner pounced on a horrible error from try scorer Kahu, who spilled a simple grubber in the in goal. Maloney missed the kick and the score remained 12-6.

From there the game really opened up with some exciting end to end play from both sides. However it was the Broncos off the back of a strong set from out of their own half which set the platform for Ben Hunt to send Corey Oates over in the corner for his 11^th try of the season. Corey Parker missed the conversion making it 12-10 to the Roosters with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Momentum seemed to have shifted Brisbane's way until James Maloney put in a superb kick to pin Broncos fullback Darius Boyd in goal. From the next play, Blake Ferguson looked to have powered over yet again only for Corey Oates to get in his way yet again.

From there it was heart in the mouth stuff, as both teams forced their opposition into some desperate and strong semi final type defence. Ben Hunt gave the Broncos one last chance to steal the match with a superb kick with 2 minutes left which forced Daniel Tupou to force the ball dead. From the dropout, the Broncos had one last shot but Milford's pass went beyond the reach of Jordan Kahu and the Roosters held on for a heroic victory to move to the top of the NRL ladder.

The Broncos must now pick up the pieces, as they prepare to take on a wounded South Sydney on Thursday night, while the Roosters face the resurgent Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on Friday night.

Match Details

Sydney Roosters 12 Brisbane Broncos 10
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 19137
Halftime Score: Sydney Roosters 8 Brisbane Broncos 0

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (12)
Tries: Brendan Elliott, Boyd Cordner
Conversions: James Maloney (1/2)
Penalty Goals: James Maloney (1/1)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (10)
Tries: Jordan Kahu, Corey Oates
Conversions: Jordan Kahu (1/1), Corey Parker (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Boyd Cordner
2 points - James Maloney
1 point - Jordan Kahu

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to Allianz Stadium for the final game on Super Saturday and without doubt the game of the round! It's 1 vs 2 and some say this may be the dress rehearsal for the big dance come the first weekend in October. The winner of tonight's match will likely rocket into premiership favouritism.

There are no late changes for the Roosters who are as per programmed through 1-17.

For Brisbane, Lachlan Maranta and Jack Reed are out and replaced by Corey Oates and Dale Copley.

This promises to be the game of the season, so stock up the fridge, grab a cold one and join us for all the action on League Unlimited.

Roosters are going for their 10th win on the trot tonight, just 3 weeks out from the Semi Finals.

Not far away from kickoff now as the Broncos make their way onto the field.

We are underway at Allianz Stadium!

1: Kick from James Maloney bounces off Sam Thaiday, not played at and the Roosters get a scrappy kick away.

2: Penalty Broncos - Early attacking chance from Brisbane 20m out.

3: Milford kick hits the posts and Boyd Cordner takes a great catch to save the day. Fast start!

4: Broncos bomb on the last towards Daniel Tupou who leaps about 5 stories to catch that one!

7: Mitch Pearce tests Darius Boyd with a bomb, safe as houses from Boyd, great take!

9: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck dodges past Hodges from the kick return, great tackle from Gillett.

10: Penalty Roosters - Hodges takes too long to get off the man right in front of the posts. Maloney to take the 2. Kick to come.

11: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Penalty goal attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney makes no mistake. The Roosters have first points on the board, it's 2-0.

12: Jared Warea-Hargraves goes down clutching his knee. Hold your breathe Roosters fans.

13: Warea-Hargraves is up and limping from the field. Doesn't look too bad, he goes up the tunnel for a check up.

14: Taukeiaho offloads at the line to Pearce and he is cut down before he got away. Looked dangerous.

15: Jake Friend ducks through from dummy half and fires a ball to Mitchell Pearce who can't quite get there!

15: Mitch Pearce has hurt himself trying to get to the Friend pass and has left the field, looks to be a calf.

16: Roosters pressure Kahu with a cross field bomb, he takes it easily, despite pressure from Daniel Tupou.

17: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Corey Oates makes an unforced error.
Oates gets a bad ball from Hunt with the Broncos on the attack.Roosters scrum.

18: Mitch Pearce and Jared Warea-Hargraves are now back in the sheds for the Roosters.

19: Penalty Roosters - Adam Blair not releasing and again right in front of the posts. Roosters take the tap this time round.

20: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Jake Friend makes an unforced error.
Friend spills the ball close to the line. Brisbane off the hook. Scoreline remains 2-0 to the Roosters.

21: Hunt puts up a towering bomb to Elliot's wing, he makes no mistake. Roosters make their way of their own half.

22: Andrew McCullough goes within a whisker of kicking a 40/20. Roosters scrum 20m out from their own line.

25: Darius Boyd cops an accidental knee from James Maloney in the back. He plays the ball and the Broncos have the ball deep in their territory.

26: Video Ref says NO TRY - James Maloney bombs to Corey Oates who misses the catch under pressure from Elliot and Blake Ferguson beats Anthony Milford to the ball. Replay shows Elliot looks to have got a finger on it! NO TRY!

28: Jackson Hastings puts in a great chip in goal to force a drop out off the back of a great run from Boyd Cordner.

28: Injury Update - Mitchell Pearce likely to return. Jared Warea-Hargraves will not return and is off for an MRI.

29: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Brendan Elliott. Kick to come.
Beautiful hands threw the backs and Brendan Elliot scores a slick try. Roosters lead 6-0. Kick to come.

30: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney makes it 8-0 and nails it 9m in from touch.

32: Tuivasa-Sheck bamboozles Gillett and gets a great ball to Cordner who is tackled by the Broncos defence. What a step!

34: Maloney bombs on the last towards the posts but Kahu makes no mistake. 20m restart.

35: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Anthony Milford makes an unforced error.
Milford spills the ball and gives the Roosters great field position 40m out.

38: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Ferguson powers over Anthony Milford to score....NO he dropped it, Oates makes enough contact. Blown chance!

38: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Corey Oates makes an unforced error.
Oates gets a hand to a Tuivasa-Sheck pass to Ferguson. Roosters feed from close range.

39: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Jake Friend makes an unforced error.
Aidan Guerra crashes over, but the pass is forward! Broncos manage to dodge a bullet yet again!

40: It's Halftime at Allianz Stadium and it's the Roosters who lead the Broncos 8-0. The game was dominated by defence early on but has now opened up with some exciting end to end play. The Broncos will be pretty happy going in at only 8-0 down considering the Roosters have blown at least 3 tries in a pulsating first half. Roosters winger Brendan Elliot scored the lone try from slick hands from Maloney and Ferguson.
The first half has been overshadowed by injuries to Roosters half Mitchell Pearce and what looks to be a serious knee injury to front row enforcer Jared Warea-Hargraves who has left the game to get an MRI scan. The Broncos are still well in the match despite not threatening the line in the 1st half.

Stay tuned for a bottler of a 2nd Half! It has lived up to the hype!

40: Injury Update - Mitchell Pearce will not return.

40: Second Half underway! Broncos bring it back through Mitchell Dodds.

42: Hastings bombs to Kahu again who makes no mistake. Broncos make their way out towards halfway.

43: Ferguson tries to run over Milford but he hits him and drives him towards the sideline. Strong defence from the little bloke!

44: Roosters are hitting hard in defence early, causes Hunt to kick early in the count.

45: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jordan Kahu. Kick to come.
Hunt gets a nice early ball to Hodges who puts Jordan Kahu down the sideline for a well worked try. Roosters 8-4 kick to come.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Kahu converts his own try. Roosters 8 Broncos 6.

47: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Mitchell Dodds makes an unforced error.
Broncos knock on from the kick off. Strong defence.

48: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Boyd Cordner. Kick to come.
Maloney grubbers through to the in goal and Jordan Kahu makes a meal of it! Try Boyd Cordner who dives on the ball!

50: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
Maloney pushes it to the left. Score remains 12-6.

51: Injury Update - Massive News! Roosters say Jared Warea-Hargraves has done a medial ligament and his season may in fact be over!

52: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Anthony Milford makes an unforced error.
Ben Hunt chips for Milford down the middle of the field but he knocks on.

53: Gillett rushes up on Guerra and knocks the ball down. 6 more Roosters as they push over halfway.

54: Hodges intercepts a Tuivasa-Sheck pass, saving a try!

55: Broncos get a repeat set as the ball bounces off Hastings to Liu off a Milford kick. Broncos on the attack 10m out!

56: Broncos run it on the last as Milford tries to put Corey Oates over in the corner. The Roosters defence is too strong. Poor option.

57: Penalty Roosters - Thaiday gives the Roosters a piggy back up the field trying to slow down the tackle.

58: Poor kick on the last from Jackson Hastings, goes to Milford unchallenged and the pressure is off the Broncos for now.

60: Maloney bombs to Tupou who flies high! He lands in touch, spectacular take though. Broncos 20m re-start.

60: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Corey Oates. Kick to come.
Great set from Brisbane who make their way up the field and then quickly shift to the left where Ben Hunt finds Corey Oates wide who spectacularly dives over for his 11th try of the season! 12-10 kick to come.

62: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
Parker misses the crucial conversion. Score remains Roosters 12-10.

64: Another good set from Brisbane forcing the Roosters right back in their own half. Momentum has shifted the Broncos way.

64: Darius Boyd goes down after copping a shoulder from Napa. No much in it, just a collision.

64: Wow! Penalty Broncos. Broncos tap on halfway. Big call!

65: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Matt Gillett makes an unforced error.
Gillett spills it after a strong hit from Michael Jennings over the top. Big let off for the Roosters.

67: Superb kick from Maloney near the posts, nearly pins Boyd in goal but he makes it out.

67: Huge head clash! Hodges gets hit by Kane Evans but Evans comes off second best. He is assisted from the field and won't be back.

67: Roosters now down to 14 men with 12 minutes to go.

68: Another pearler of a kick from James Maloney forces Darius Boyd in goal. Drop out Broncos!

69: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Ferguson powers over Milford and looks set to score but again it's Corey Oates that forces the error! Huge tackle.

70: Penalty Roosters - Hodges hands on the ball. Big penalty. Roosters tap just short of halfway.

71: Superb take from Jordan Kahu yet again. Cross field kick under the pressure of Daniel Tupou. 20m re-start for Brisbane.

73: Alex Glenn looks set to power over and he is crunched by Blake Ferguson on the last. Handover to the Roosters.

75: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Ben Hunt makes an unforced error.
Hodges gets a great offload away and Ben Hunt drops it cold!

76: Maloney gets enormous pressure on the last and Broncos manage to get the ball back off a rebound.

77: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Sam Thaiday makes an unforced error.
Shot by Napa and Thaiday loses control huge play!

77: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Now Ferguson loses control on the first tackle!

78: Hunt grubbers for the in goal and forces Daniel Tupou to knock it dead. Perfect kick!

79: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Jordan Kahu makes an unforced error.
Milford throws a looping pass and Kahu can't take it and it goes into touch! It's over!

80: It's Fulltime! An heroic win for the Roosters who lost Warea-Hargraves, Pearce and Evans to injury. It's the Roosters 12 over the Broncos 10.