The Sydney Roosters kicked off their 2024 season in fine fashion, securing a 20-10 victory over a Broncos team that appeared to struggle with the Vegas conditions and the size of the field in front of nearly 41,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium.
The Roosters quickly took control, dominating possession and field position early in the contest. It took just five minutes for the Tricolours to open the scoring when Joey Manu intercepted an Ezra Mam pass and dashed off for the opening try under the posts.
Despite dominating possession and field position throughout the first half, the Roosters could only add a penalty goal by Sam Walker at the 15-minute mark, following a ruck interference penalty against Billy Walters.
The half-time scoreboard perhaps flattered the Broncos, who, after benefiting from repeated Roosters' ill-discipline, saw Reece Walsh weave some magic to escape the Roosters' defence and kick through for Deine Mariner to score. The conversion attempt from Adam Reynolds went astray.
The Roosters looked to have added a field goal on the stroke of half-time but one of the NRL's new rules reared its head when Sam Walker's efforts were rejected by the bunker for interference by the blockers despite most thinking that it was never going to be stopped.
Physicality didn't disappear during the half time break and if anything it increased as the second half went on. The Roosters initially went close to scoring when Daniel Tupou lost the ball over the line but a shoulder charge from Reece Walsh was picked up by the bunker on a Captain's Challenge from the Roosters.
The Roosters were able to extend their lead when Joey Manu pulled off some magic that wouldn't be out of place on the Vegas strip when he let out a no look fling of the ball that found Fetalaiga Pauga perfectly on the chest and the young winger scored on the outside.
Ill-discipline from the Roosters let the Broncos back into the contest and it was some typical Brisbane magic that saw the big 3 combine to get the ball out to the outside before coming back inside to Walsh who scored and the Broncos were able to close the gap to just four points.
Tensions continued to rise as the Broncos grew frustrated, leading to two separate flare-ups when things weren't going their way.
The situation escalated when, during a second confrontation, Broncos' five-eighth Ezra Mam accused a Roosters forward of making a racist remark. Despite not hearing the comment himself, referee Adam Gee reported the incident for post-game review and investigation.
The Roosters sealed the victory inside the final 10 minutes when James Tedesco put Victor Radley through to score and Sam Walker converted.
The events of the last fifteen minutes were a disappointing end to what was a strong day of football as the Roosters made a strong start to their 2024 campaign, whilst the Broncos will be grateful for the run despite the loss, and look to bounce back when they return to Australia in a fortnight.
Match Highlights - #NRLRoostersBroncos
The Roosters kicked off their 2024 season with a win over the Broncos in Las Vegas! pic.twitter.com/y7ZPCpNZMi
— NRL (@NRL) March 3, 2024