Roosters win late against Rabbitohs

The Sydney Roosters have claimed a late 18-14 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in front of a crowd of 18,424 at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight.

The Rabbitohs opened the scoring very early when Beau Falloon darted over from dummy half off the back of several repeat sets.

On the 20 minute mark the Bunnies extended their lead to 8-0 after kicking a penalty goal.

The Roosters struck back five minutes later as Todd Carney took advantage of a staggered defensive line to dive over in the tackle of a Souths defender.

There was no more scoring in the first half, which was dominated by a few mistakes and hard hitting defence on a very heavy track after it had rained all day in Sydney.

The Roosters dominated much of the second half - mainly on the back of some highly questionable refereeing decisions, and scored first after 57 minutes with Sam Perrett scoring after some great ball movement.

South Sydney regained their two point lead when Talanoa scored in the corner and Sandow kicked the sideline conversion.

It looked as though Souths had the game wrapped up until the Roosters were awarded a dubious penalty on the last tackle to put them on attack.

In the following set the Roosters took advantage of tiring Souths defence to put Aubusson over with three minutes remaining. Carney added the conversion and the Roosters were able to hold out to claim the win.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 18 defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 14
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 18 - Friday July 9, 2010 7:35pm
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger and Ashley Klein
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Phil Haines and Russell Turner
Crowd: 18,424
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 6 South Sydney Rabbitohs 8

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Todd Carney (1 Try, 3 Conversions)
2 Points - Sam Burgess
1 Point - Mitchell Aubusson (1 Try)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (18)
Tries: Todd Carney, Sam Perrett, Mitchell Aubusson
Conversions: Todd Carney (3/3)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (14)
Tries: Fetuli Talanoa, Beau Falloon
Conversions: Chris Sandow (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Chris Sandow (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary 1 min: Underway at the SFS!
Earlier tonight the Roosters won the Toyota Cup game 14-12. 3 min: South Sydney getting an early glut of possession, don't think the Chooks have had the ball yet.
3 min: TRY
TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Off the back of a penalty, Falloon scoots from dummy half to score from close range. Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6-0
6 min: Really impressive start from South Sydney overall. Making plenty of yards with a smart kicking game and some crushing defence.
6 min: Good kick from the Roosters will have Souths starting out of their own end.
8 min: Really impressive kicking games from both teams so far. Souths are really stepping up in defence though.
12 min: Roosters trap Talanoa in the in goal and get a repeat set.
12 min: Roosters go down the blindside and the ball goes into touch on the last.
14 min: The Roosters have a fantastic possible try called back. They chip for Perrett who toes it ahead and keep the ball alive only to have a pass called back. The pass looked fine, harsh call.
17 min: Roosters knock on and the ball falls to Talanoa who has the ball stripped, but the play is called back for the original knock on. Four errors between the two teams so far.
20 min: Ryles gives away a penalty for having his hand on the ball while Souths were trying to play it. They'll take the shot at goal.
20 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL South Sydney Rabbitohs
Penalty goal attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 8-0
23 min: Roosters get a penalty to go on attack.
24 min: Roosters get a line drop out to add to the pressure.
25 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Carney gets the ball and busts through a gap in the Bunnies defence to score. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 8-6
27 min: Burgess puts in a huge hit on Pearce and is penalised for a high shot - probably a tough call, but the Roosters go back on attack.
29 min: Roosters look to be building something on attack and Anasta drops it.
31 min: Roosters have only completed 6/12 sets, while Souths are up at 12/13.
34 min: Talanoa takes an accidental shin to the head from Minichello while fielding a kick. Both players come out of the collision a little worse for wear.
36 min: Wesser fumbles the ball at the back allowing the Roosters to trap him in the in goal.
37 min: Roosters make another error.
38 min: Nearly a fantastic Rabbitohs try. Sandow kicks ahead for Merritt who recovers it and passes infield before he's pushed out, Champion picks up the ball and he is forced out by great scrambling defence.
40 min: Roosters get another penalty - should be able to play out a few tackles.
40 min: Roosters nearly score right on half time. A fairly scrappy game of football. Roosters would have the better of the game if they weren't making three times the number of errors Souths are making.
40 min: Back underway at the SFS! Souths will get first use of the ball.
47 min: Fairly back and forth game at the moment, both teams mainly grinding it up the middle in the wet conditions.
48 min: Merritt loses the ball and both teams come together for a very soft punch up.
50 min: Souths just hold out on their own line.
51 min: Souths will go on attack after two penalties, and the Roosters get marched another 10 metres. 4-3 the penalty count, in favour of Souths.
52 min: Souths spread the ball wide and Talanoa knocks on.
57 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters move the ball from sideline to sideline, and moving it back to the right they create an overlap for Perrett to score. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 12-8
60 min: Roosters make an error on halfway. They've dominated the half so far.
62 min: Sandow chips back to the middle and the ball shaves the upright allowing the Roosters a chance to run it out of their own end.
63 min: Sandow puts in a shoulder charge on Kennedy that dislodges the ball, but it goes backwards and we play on. The Roosters give away a penalty to put Souths back on attack.
64 min: TRY
TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Souths move the ball left, throw an inside ball to Merritt who moves the ball back out left, eventually it gets to Talanoa who scores in the corner. Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12
68 min: Sandow chips for himself but Anasta regathers - the Roosters will get marginally better field position from it.
68 min: Friend attempts a 40/20 and puts the ball out on the full - but only just.
69 min: Taylor loses the ball, letting the Roosters off the hook. They then get a penalty to put them on attack.
70 min: Roosters lose the ball right on attack.
70 min: CROWD - 18,424
75 min: Roosters find space out wide but can't regather an important kick.
76 min: Roosters get a penalty on the last tackle to go on attack.
77 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Roosters move the ball left and Aubusson runs through Sandow to slide over the line. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 18-14
79 min: Rabbitohs regather the short kickoff.
80 min: Last play option from the Rabbitohs is a shambles and the Roosters will play out the game.
80 min: Full time, and the Roosters have left it late to defeat the Rabbitohs.