James Cormack reports on the Chooks rampant performance over the Broncos to register their first win at the SCG since 1999.
MATCH DETAILS
Before the season started both of these teams were in most experts’ top 4 so it was set up for an exciting contest. Unfortunately, it was one way all game in favour of the rampant Roosters who notched their third win on the trot. Cooper Cronk returned to the Roosters side after spending two weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury laying on three try assists in the first half.
The Roosters were in cruise control from the outset with winger Matt Ikuvalu crossing over in the corner after slick hands from Luke Keary and Joseph Manu in the 8th minute. Big off-season recruit Angus Crichton barged his way over to score his first try for his new club to make the score 10-0 after 15 minutes. The Roosters piled on another five tries to Broncos one to run out convincing winners 36-4. Mid way through the first half Brisbane lock Tevita Pangai Jr hit Cronk very late and was placed on report. Cronk didn’t see out the game as he was substituted early in the second half though Coach Trent Robinson down played Cronk’s injury saying it was precautionary.
FOUR POINTERS
CRONK PROVES WHY HE IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST
You wouldn’t have realised that Cronk had been out the previous two weeks with a dodgy hamstring as he put on a master class in the first half. Cronk’s two line break assists and three try assists all in the first half showed he is still a cut above most halfbacks in the competition. Every week Cronk cops a battering from opposition forwards like he did tonight though still produces sublime performances every time he steps onto the field. Five-eighth Luke Keary has being playing exceptionally well with Cronk out though with him in the team it’s going to be hard for anyone to stop them.
FIRST HALF HORROR FOR BRONCOS
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold wouldn’t have liked what he saw when he read the half time statistics. Although the Roosters were playing very well his side didn’t help them only completing 10 out of 15 sets and showing ill discipline at crucial stages when they were still in the game. With all the possession going the way of the Roosters it meant Brisbane had to make 109 more tackles.
54 MISSED TACKLES
32 in the first half and 22 in the second, not what Brisbane were hoping for after last weeks last second loss to the Dragons. When a team misses 54 tackles they usually never win that game and tonight was no different as the Roosters demoralised the Broncos. I’m sure during the week coach Seibold will be focusing on their tackling as another repeat of tonight’s effort will ultimately produce the same result: a loss.
WE’VE ALREADY SEEN THE TRY OF THE YEAR
Joseph Manu’s try in the 77th minute had to seen to be believed as it featured three kicks and six sets of hands to finish off the game on a high note. Numerous times throughout the play you thought it was dead though quick hands from Angus Crichton and a cross field kick from Latrell Mitchell saw the ball land in Manu’s hands and led to their seventh try of the evening.
THE RESULT
ROOSTERS 36
Tries: Matt Ikuvalu, Angus Crichton, Mitchell Aubusson x2, Daniel Tupou, James Tedesco, Joseph Manu
Goals: Latrell Mitchell 4/8
BRONCOS 4
Tries: Matt Gillett
Goals: Jamayne Isaako 0/1
SQUADS
ROOSTERS
1 James Tedesco 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Latrell Mitchell 4 Joseph Manu 5 Matt Ikuvalu 6 Luke Keary 7 Cooper Cronk 15 Zane Tetevano 9 Victor Radley 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11 Boyd Cordner 12 Mitchell Aubusson 13 Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14 Lindsay Collins 16 Poasa Faamausili 17 Angus Crichton 18 Nat Butcher
BRONCOS
1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Kotoni Staggs 4 Jack Bird 5 Jamayne Isaako 6 Anthony Milford 7 Kodi Nikorima 8 Matt Lodge 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Joe Ofahengaue 11 Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Tevita Pangai Jr. Interchange: 14. Gehamat Shibasaki 15 Jaydn Su’a 16 Thomas Flegler 17. David Fifita.
