2021 NRL Finals Week One, Roosters 25 Titans 24 – Report

Brendan Wood reviews the Sydney Roosters thrilling 25-24 win over the Gold Coast Titans. Here’s how the game went.

SCOREBOARD

Player of the Year Points

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3 pts – James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2 pts – Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
1 pt – Beau Fermor (Gold Coast Titans)

MATCH REPORT

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1st Half

The second game of finals footy this year started subdued as both sides took time to find discipline in the opening 10 minutes. Eventually the Roosters would be the first team to go on the attack.

James Tedesco grubbered in behind the defense and Victor Radley led the chasers, before he was tackled without the ball by Tyrone Peachey. The bunker ruled this was a professional foul, so Peachey was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.

The Roosters opted to take the two points and grab the first lead of the game. Despite being down a man, the Titans found some rhythm of their own and were awarded a penalty inside Roosters territory. They took the two points as well to level the score at 2-2.

However, not long after Peachey returned from the bin the Roosters found their first try. While on the attack, James Tedesco double pumped a pass and set up an overlap for Matt Ikuvalu to score.

Following on from the try, Jarrod Wallace intercepted a pass and raced 30 metres before being reeled in by Victor Radley short of the line. As a result, the Titans found themselves in attacking position and looked to have scored when David Fifita crashed over.

However, the bunker found a Roosters defender was obstructed in the lead up and reversed the decision. Off the back of the penalty, the Roosters scored their second try. Victor Radley broke through and offloaded for James Tedesco to score.

In the shadows of halftime, the Titans grabbed a last-ditch try when Tyrone Peachey produced a well-weighted kick into the in-goal for Beau Fermor to score, cutting the margin to six at the break.

HALF-TIME: Sydney Roosters 12 Gold Coast Titans 6

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2nd Half

The second half began with a Titans error when Tino Fa’asuamaleaui knocked-on in the opening set. With an early chance, James Tedesco tipped on a pass to Daniel Tupou who scored in the corner.

As they did in the first half, the Titans refused to go down without a fight. Jamal Fogarty put up an attacking kick which was knocked-on by the Roosters. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui scooped up the loose ball and dived over untouched for a rare try.

Once again, it was the Roosters turn to respond and it looked like Matt Ikuvalu had crossed for another try. However, the bunker denied the try due to an obstruction.

The game continued to see-saw, with the Titans finding some individual brilliance from Brian Kelly. He made a jinking run back in-field and beat two Roosters defenders to score.

With the scores level at 18, a Titans error gifted the Roosters a seven-tackle set. As a result, the Roosters jumped back into the lead. James Tedesco darted down the short side and passed to Josh Morris, who stepped inside the cover and crossed for a crucial try.

After 10 minutes of stability, the twists and turns kept coming. Matt Ikuvalu knocked-on two metres out from his own line and the ball landed in the lap of Jarrod Wallace, who crashed over for a fortuitous try.

Inside the final 10 minutes, Sam Walker had a shot at field-goal charged down by some desperate Titans defense. In response, the Titans had their own shot at field-goal but Tyrone Peachey missed.

With a seven-tackle set, Sam Walker had another field-goal shot and this time he didn’t miss, putting the Roosters up by one. Inside the final minute, the Titans got once last chance when Beau Fermor made a break.

The Titans had the Roosters outnumbered as the ball got to Patrick Herbert, however Herbert took on the line himself and produced a flick-pass that went over the sideline, finally drawing a conclusion to the game and the Titans’ season.

FULL-TIME: Sydney Roosters 25 Gold Coast Titans 24

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Injuries

Siosiua Taukeiaho – knee

Match Review Committee

to be advised

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