Roosters claim 13th ANZAC Cup

The Sydney Roosters have claimed the 13th ANZAC Cup with a 34-14 defeat of the St. George Illawarra Dragons in front of a most respectful crowd of 38,784 at Allianz Stadium.

The ANZAC Day clash between these two clubs has become a true highlight on the Rugby league calendar as the Game pays tribute to all those who have gone before us.

Aidan Guerra started the Roosters attack as his footwork saw him charge through the Dragons defence to post first points. Inside the first 10 minutes, Roosters led 6-0.

Daniel Tupou followed up Guerra's strong running minutes later as he was awarded the Roosters second four-pointer as he finished off a long range try featuring Mitchell Pearce, Sonny Bill Williams and Michael Jennings. Midway through the first half, the Roosters led 12-0.

The Dragons didn't bring their best game and their delayed start saw them take 26 minutes to claim their first try. Red V Captain, Ben Creagh stole the points as he snuck over from acting half following a charge from Gerard Beale. The Dragons closed the gap to 8 points, Roosters 12-4.

Anthony Minichiello looked to close out the first half with his try as he took a long pass from Man of the Match, Mitchell Pearce, however, the Dragons through Nathan Green made it a 10 point game after 40 minutes, Roosters 18-8.

The Roosters fired quickly in the second half as Jake Friend, Ashton/Collier Spirit of ANZAC Medal winner, posted the tricolours fourth try. Roosters, 24-8 after 42 minutes.

Gerard Beale managed to cross the try line for the Dragons second four-pointer at the three-quarter mark as he sailed into a yawning gap via a bullet pass from Gareth Widdop. Roosters 24-12.

The Roosters secured victory in the final 10 minutes with tries to Boyd Cordner (70th minute) and Shaun Kenny-Dowall (76th minute).

There is concern out of this game for the NSW Blues as both Michael Jennings (ankle) and James Maloney (shoulder) left the field through injury late in the contest. The club will monitor the situation and it's hoped damage won't see them miss Origin 1 on May 28th.

Next week the Roosters host the surprise packet of 2014, Wests Tigers on Friday night at Allianz Stadium. Meanwhile the Dragons head to ANZ Stadium as they prepare to face the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.

ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (14)
Tries: Ben Creagh, Nathan Green, Gerard Beale
Field Goals:
Conversions: Gareth Widdop (1/3)
Penalty Goals:

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (34)
Tries: Aidan Guerra, Daniel Tupou, Anthony Minichiello, Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Field Goals:
Conversions: James Maloney (5/5), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (0/1)
Penalty Goals:

LATE MAIL: Sydney Roosters - Unchanged starting side, 1-17, Daniel Mortimer drops off an extended bench

LATE MAIL: St. George Illawarra Dragons - Tyson Frizell replaces Dan Hunt in the starting side. Jack de Belin onto the interchange in place of Leeson Ah Mau.

Welcome to LeagueUnlimited's LIVE coverage from Allianz Stadium as Australia and New Zealand pause to remember those who have fallen. Today marks the 13th clash for the ANZAC Cup between the Dragons and Roosters as the Game pays respect to all ANZACs.

Kick off is slated for 4:10pm at Moore Park, the rain has disappeared and the sun is beaming down.

Both teams are out onto Allianz Stadium ahead of the official welcome on stage, centre field. Dragons lead out by Ben Creagh, and the Roosters lead by Anthony Minichiello.

The official ceremony taking place now with the Last Post being echoed around Allianz Stadium, to be followed by a minute's silence.

The Australian National Anthem now being performance as the teams stand side-by-side

We are UNDERWAY in ANZAC Day Football as the Dragons kick off to give the Roosters first use of the ball in this 13th meeting for the ANZAC Cup

2: Boyd Cordner is trapped on the last tackle, change over the Dragons 10 metres of their own try line

4: First penalty of the match goes to the Roosters, Anthony Minichiello worked over after the held call. James Maloney kicks for touch and the Roosters have possession 10 metres short of the half way line.

5: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Shaun Kenny-Dowall makes an unforced error.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall jumping for the Mitchell Pearce kick and he was unable to take possession. Dragons with possession now

6: Tyson Frizell ruled to be inside the 10 metres is penalised for offside. Roosters kick for touch and attack 10 metres out from the Dragons try line.

7: James Maloney took a charge for the goal line off a shift to the left from Mitchell Pearce. He is held up so back to the 10 metre line.

7: Dragons goal line defence holds as Mitchell Pearce took a dart for the line, held out on last tackle. Change over for the Dragons

8: Nathan Green is penalised for holding onto the ball in the ruck as Michael Jennings attempted to play the ball. Roosters advance over the half way line.

8: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Gerard Beale makes an unforced error.
Gerard Beale jumping out of the line to stop the shifting pass from SBW, ZERO TACKLE for the Roosters

9: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Aidan Guerra. Kick to come.
Aidan Guerra with a beautiful step has charged through the Dragons defence as he sailed into a gap to bring up first points for the Roosters

11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney with a simple conversion from in front of the uprights slots the goal to extend the lead

12: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Shaun Kenny-Dowall makes an unforced error.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall fumbles the offload from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as he jumped for a Mitchell Pearce last tackle kick. Change over for the Dragons deep in their own half.

13: The Dragons cough up possession early in the set to give the Roosters another chance at the try line just 20 metres out on the zero tackle.

13: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Boyd Cordner makes an unforced error.
Boyd Cordner looking to cut the Dragons defence into a gap but the ball bounces out of his hands. Dragons with it 10 metres off their own line.

14: Penalty to the Dragons as the Roosters defenders hold onto the attackers too long. Michael Witt takes the kick for touch and the Dragons march to the half way line.

15: Gareth Widdop placed a kick low towards the posts and it's taken easily by Cordner. Roosters start their set inside their 10 metre zone.

17: VIDEO REFEREE for the Roosters, we have a TRY for Daniel Tupou as he backed up a charging run from Michael Jennings.

17: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Daniel Tupou. Kick to come.
Daniel Tupou gets GREEN LIGHTS from the video referee as he finished off charging run from Michael Jennings after Tupou managed to keep the ball in play before going over the sideline. Roosters post their second try of the afternoon in the eastern corner.

18: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney with the conversion attempt from the eastern touchline splits the uprights to extend the lead once again

20: Time off here as Sonny Bill Williams was slapped in the face. He is okay and will continue.

21: Penalty to the Dragons as the Roosters caught holding down. Count is 3-2 in favour of the Roosters.

21: Penalty to the Dragons for crowding the ruck, hand on the ball. Count is at 3-all now. Dragons attack 20 metres out

22: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Josh Dugan makes an unforced error.
Josh Dugan ruled to have knocked on as he played the ball. Scrum for the Roosters 10 metres off their own try line.

24: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Daniel Tupou makes an unforced error.
Daniel Tupou jumping over the top of Jason Nightingale and knocked the ball dead. Zero tackle, 20 metre restart called for the Dragons

26: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Ben Creagh. Kick to come.
Ben Creagh has darted over the try line from acting half following his charging run on the previous set which saw Beale almost claim the Dragons first points. However, the captain sailed over the defence on the goal line.

27: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop unsuccessful.
Gareth Widdop from the western sideline is unable to slot the goal, score remains an 8 point gap

31: VIDEO REFEREE for the Roosters, we have a TRY for Daniel Tupou, could be his 2nd as he dived over one-hand in the eastern corner

32: NO TRY given to Daniel Tupou has ruled to have bounced the ball over the try line, knock on the call.

33: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Joel Thompson makes an unforced error.
Joel Thompson trying to get a quick play of the ball as lost possession. Scrum for the Roosters on halfway

34: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
SBW charging onto a short pass from Mitchell Pearce is unable to hold onto the ball. Scrum for the Dragons 10 metres out

36: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Anthony Minichiello. Kick to come.
Anthony Minichiello has taken a beautiful long pass across the field from Mitchell Pearce and The Count goes over in the western corner untouched.

37: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney from the western sideline nails the conversion attempt to add the extras to extend the lead

38: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck makes an unforced error.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck unable to take the boot laces pass, drops the ball and a scrum packs for the Dragons 10 metres short of the half way line.

39: Penalty to the Dragons as the Roosters took out Widdop without the ball. Dragons with a final chance 20 metres out

40: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Nathan Green. Kick to come.
Nathan Green cleans up a grubber from Josh Dugan and he dives over to bring up the Dragons second try of the afternoon

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop unsuccessful.
Gareth Widdop from out wide on the eastern side hits the uprights and it's waived away.

40: Second half is UNDERWAY at Allianz Stadium as the Roosters kick off and lead the Dragons 18-8

42: Penalty to the Dragons, Ben Creagh holding too long. Roosters attack 10 metres out

42: VIDEO REFEREE for the Roosters, Jake Friend has dived under the posts off a great little kick he placed for himself. We have a TRY according to the referees.

42: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Jake Friend. Kick to come.
Jake Friend gets GREEN LIGHTS as he dived and chased his own grubber kick to catch the Dragons defence napping.

43: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney with the conversion attempt slots the two points to make it a greater lead for the Roosters

47: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
James Maloney makes an unforced error.
James Maloney running onto a short pass has been unable to take the take pass. Scrum for the Dragons just short of the half way line.

48: FORWARD PASS ruled as Gareth Widdop cut across the ruck to look and link with Gerard Beale. Dragons denied on the last tackle and the Roosters have possession deep in their own half.

50: Jason Nightingale is trapped in goal off a James Maloney kick on the last tackle. Anthony Minichiello earning the line drop out

50: James Maloney spinning over the try line as three Dragons swamp on him in goal. Roosters on the 4th tackle back to the 10 metre line.

51: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Frank Paul Nuuausala makes an unforced error.
Frank Paul Nuuausala unable to take the knock back from SKD and it's a zero tackle 20 metre tap for the Dragons

51: The 7th error for the Dragons as the loose pass goes to ground. Roosters attack 30 metres out with a full set.

52: Knock on ruled against the Dragons Gareth Widdop in goal. Line drop out once again for the Roosters

54: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Daniel Tupou makes an unforced error.
Daniel Tupou almost coming up with another try for the Roosters as he was unmarked on the western side, the long pass from Maloney dropped. Change over the Dragons.

55: Penalty to the Roosters for a strip against Mitch Rein, Roosters lead the count 5-4.

57: Penalty to the Dragons, shoulder charge seems the call against Dylan Napa on Ben Creagh. The Dragons march over the half way line with a kick for touch

58: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Nathan Green makes an unforced error.
Nathan Green jumping for the kick high across the field and unable to take the ball. Change over for the Roosters on the 10 metre line.

61: Penalty to the Dragons, kick ahead to see them attack 30 metres out

63: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Gerard Beale. Kick to come.
Gerard Beale sails into a yawning gap off a bullet pass from Gareth Widdop. Dragons post their third try of the afternoon.

64: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
Gareth Widdop with the conversion attempt from out wide nails the goal to close the gap to 10 points

68: Josh Dugan is caught in goal as the Roosters kicking game from Mitchell Pearces gives them a repeat set

69: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Boyd Cordner. Kick to come.
Boyd Cordner has sailed into a gap of the Dragons defence as it cracks and the Roosters extend their lead back to 14 points.

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney with the conversion attempt from beside the posts nails the goal to make it a 16 point gap.

72: Michael Jennings has come off the field for the Roosters and gone straight up the tunnel.

74: 40/20 SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Mitchell Pearce kicks a 40/20.
Mitchell Pearce nails a 40/20 and gets it as the video referee awards the kick upon review. Quick tap given for the Roosters

75: INJURY: James Maloney has followed Michael Jennings into the sheds as he has limped off for the Roosters

76: VIDEO REFEREE for the Roosters, Shaun Kenny-Dowall claiming points here

76: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Kick to come.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been awarded the Roosters try as he darted under the defence of four Dragons including Josh Dugan.

76: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck unsuccessful.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with the conversion attempt is unable to slot the extras from out wide.

78: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
Sonny Bill Williams unable to take the floating pass from Friend and a scrum packs in the final minutes from the Dragons

80: FULL TIME at Allianz Stadium sees the Sydney Roosters claim the 13th ANZAC Cup defeating the Dragons 34-14