Roosters win Foundation Cup

The Sydney Roosters have put together a 16-12 Foundation Cup NRL trial victory over the Wests Tigers last night.

Played in front of almost 9,000 people at the Sydney Football Stadium, West Tigers appeared to have the better run of play late in the match, but were unable to convert this into points.

The Roosters celebrated the return to form of veteran fullback Anthony Minichiello.

Minichiello, who turns 29 in May, has had a tough last three years, playing just 25 games due to spinal injuries. But he showed his best form in some time when he barged over Tigers halfback Benji Marshall to score in the 51st minute for a crucial 16-6 lead.

Marshall otherwise had a stand out match at halfback. The Kiwi international put second-rower Willie Mataka across the line in the 67th minute to make it a four point ball game, and set up a nail-biting finish.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS 16 (M Aubusson M Pearce A Minichiello tries C Fitzgibbon B Anasta goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 12 (S Gallant W Mataka tries B Marshall 2 goals) Saturday 21 February Sydney Football Stadium. Referees: T Archer P Haines. Crowd: 8,716.

TEAMS ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Mitch Aubusson, Sonny Tuigamala, Ben Jones, Mitchell Pearce, Braith Anasta (c), Nate Myles, Craig Fitzgibbon, Lopini Paea, James Aubusson, Mark O'Meley. Interchange: Jordan Tansey, Frank Paul Nuuausala, Stanley Waqa, Rohan Ahern, Marty Kennedy, Riley Brown. TIGERS:Shannon McDonnell, Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Tim Moltzen, Benji Marshall (c), Dene Halatau, Chris Heighington, Gareth Ellis, Keith Galloway, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs. Interchange: Shannon Gallant, Rhys Hanbury, Danny Galea, Rocky Trimarchi, Daine Laurie.

MORE NRL TRIALS INFORMATION: CLICK HERE