UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Latrell Mitchell makes an unforced error.
That will do us, Mitchell spills a pass from Pearce and that's the siren going in the background. Tricolours win!
Sydney Roosters 20-6
Roosters with the last play of the game, picking up a penalty with 30 seconds on the clock.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Dylan Napa makes an unforced error.
Napa returns the favour on the Rabbitohs' 40m two plays later. South Sydney scrum feed.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: Angus Crichton makes an unforced error.
Crichton loses it after a successful one-on-one strip. Roosters scrum on halfway.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: Jason Clark makes an unforced error.
Ah ouch. The Rabbits' prop spills it getting up to play the ball. Looks like he's picked up a hand complaint of some sort there.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
Rabbitohs get more attacking possession.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
A fifth line drop out since halftime for the Roosters. They manage to get it 60 metres up the park though, and almost force an error from Johnston.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Mitchell Pearce makes an unforced error.
The Roosters' number seven puts a kick out on the full.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
Souths cross through Robert Jennings but John Sutton's had it dislodged and it's gone forward. Roosters' scrum.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Michael Gordon makes an unforced error.
Gordon can't get a clean collect on a Reynolds grubber and the Roosters are forced into their fourth drop-out of the evening.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
Both sides playing some enterprising footy given the conditions but it's the Roosters who remain in the ascendency. Souths' finish lacking polish.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
Both sides going end to end here, but finding themselves handing it over on the last, despite being within reach of the line.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
How good is he?! Superb sideline conversion.
Sydney Roosters 20-6
TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Scored by Daniel Tupou. Kick to come.
He won't be denied this time! Lightning quick hands in this weather too! Tupou is in right in the corner!
Sydney Roosters 18-6
Damien Cook penalised for being offside and the Roosters get out of their own half easily. Tetevano on for the visitors as well.
Sydney Roosters 14-6
NO TRY is the confirmed call from upstairs - Tupou got to the ball but couldn't ground it.
Sydney Roosters 14-6
55' @NRLBunker checking a Roosters NO TRY to Daniel Tupou.#NRLSouthsRoosters
— LeagueUnlimited.com (@LeagueUnlimited) March 23, 2017
Sydney Roosters 14-6
Roosters with a scrum ten metres inside Souths' territory. Big chance here for them to extend that lead back to fourteen.
Sydney Roosters 14-6
No return for Burgess despite what we were told at halftime, he's actually failed that HIA.
Sydney Roosters 14-6
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Geez that's good. Reynolds from out wide in pouring rain.
Sydney Roosters 14-6
TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: Scored by Sitiveni Moceidreke. Kick to come.
Try on debut! The Rabbitohs exploit the numbers to the right and Mociedreke gets it from Talakai to score out wide!
Sydney Roosters 14-4
50' @NRLBunker for a possible Rabbitohs try on debut to Moceidreke. Checking obstruction.#NRLSouthsRoosters
— LeagueUnlimited.com (@LeagueUnlimited) March 23, 2017
Sydney Roosters 14-0
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Boyd Cordner makes an unforced error.
Cordner's lost it off a clever Reynolds grubber and the Bunnies will get a scrum and ANOTHER attacking shot at the Roosters' line.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Boyd Cordner makes an unforced error.
Cordner's lost it off a clever Reynolds grubber and the Bunnies will get a scrum and ANOTHER attacking shot at the Roosters' line.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
Rabbitohs forcing more repeat sets. No points to speak of as yet as the rain continues to fall.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
Rain really teeming down at ANZ now. Looks fairly dark at the Roosters' defensive end of the ground too.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
SKD penalised after a high tackle... and the Roosters back it up by conceding another. Souths with a big chance to post points.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
Game back on for the second half! Siosifa Talakai and Sam Burgess (both Rabbitohs) were cleared after undergoing HIA during the break.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
We go to halftime with the Roosters ahead by fourteen points.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Penalty goal attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
The Roosters pick up a penalty and the Tricolours extend their lead ahead of the break.
Sydney Roosters 14-0
Sam Burgess comes out of the line looking for a big hit and it backfires - he's down and not looking too good.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
Bryson Goodwin gets the ball from a quick shift to the left but the Roosters defenders combine to push him into touch.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Shaun Kenny-Dowall makes an unforced error.
SKD spills it inside his own half! Souths on the attack...
Sydney Roosters 12-0
UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: Angus Crichton makes an unforced error.
Crichton's on for the Bunnies and here he's spilled it near halfway. Not the ideal start.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
Pearce puts a high ball into the corner and Sitiveni Moceidreke is unable to catch it - it bounces under him and into touch. Souths feed.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
Nothing doing off the drop-out set and the visitors surge up the park but can't capitalise with a Keary kick trickling into touch.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
More success for the Bunnies this time, forcing a drop-out.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
Souths push up the park and are looking dangerous until Robert Jennings loses it. Roosters ball.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
Pearce nearly nails a 40/20! Not quite though. Rabbitohs with it.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From the other side of the field this time... no problem for Gordon either! Great start from the Tricolours.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Scored by Michael Gordon. Kick to come.
He bursts through and runs toward the right side, evading Johnston as the last line of defence and planting it over the line.
Sydney Roosters 10-0
Solid post-points sets from the Roosters and they find themselves on the attack again.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
No mistake from Flash! Roosters with the early lead.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Scored by Latrell Mitchell. Kick to come.
Latrell Mitchell goes in down the left side with the Roosters exploiting an easy overlap!
Sydney Roosters 4-0
Tom Burgess turns it over two plays later and the Roosters get away with it.
0 all
Cody Walker cracks the Roosters line from inside his own half, eventually dragged down by chasers 10 metres inside opposition territory.
0 all
Early PENALTY for the Bunnies. They start a new set on halfway.
0 all
We're underway with the Roosters in possession first up.
0 all
The Ron Coote Cup is about to get underway at @ANZStadium #NRLSouthsRoosters LIVE
Team news? Plenty of shuffling for the Bunnies. Sitiveni Mociedreke will play on the wing. That shifts Johnston to fullback, Walker to five-eighth, Sutton to the second row and Crichton back to the bench. The Roosters start Paul Carter at hooker for the injured Jake Friend.
ANZ Stadium the venue, the NRL's two oldest clubs the combatants. It's the battle of the foundation clubs. Neighbours who love to hate. Always a cracker this one.
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Gerard Sutton, Alan Shortall
Touch Judges: Belinda Sleeman, Chris Butler
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (6)
Tries: Sitiveni Moceidreke
Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (1/1)
Penalty Goals:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (20)
Tries: Latrell Mitchell, Michael Gordon, Daniel Tupou
Field Goals:
Conversions: Michael Gordon (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (1/1)