NRL Blog: Saturday session: Roosters v Broncos

Press conferences

Tupou too good: A big night for the Roosters winger who drew equal with Billy Slater in third place on the all-time NRL try scoring list with his first-half try. He also ran for 207 metres and made two line breaks.

Reece's return: A strong return from injury for the Broncos fullback who had a try assist and five tackle breaks and a try that helped spark the second-half resurgence for his side. 

Full-time: A game of two halves as they say with the Broncos mounting an almighty second-half charge - but it was not enough to deny the Roosters who claim a 38-24 win in a high-scoring game. 

76th min: No denying the Roosters this time, with Robson going through the middle from dummy half to put his side further in front. Another conversion from Walker to push the score out to 38-24. 

74th min: Roosters take no time to hit back - with Tupou going out over the the left where Staggs would have been ... however, the Bunker overrules as there was an obstruction. Adding another layer, Riki was offside, so it's a penalty. So the try is taken away, but they still get two points added with Walker kicking the penalty for a 32-24 lead. 

71st min: Broncos are down to 12 players for the rest of the game with Kotoni Staggs sent to the sin bin for - to quote the referee "rubbish" on the head of Savala - coming down with his elbow after the tackle.

66th min: Roosters discipline is now the issue and the Broncos are capitalising - with Reece Walsh pulling the strings. A short pass at the line to Jordan Riki who runs the right line and goes through to score. Duffy's conversion is successul and it's 30-24 and GAME ON for sure. 

65th min: Ruled out earlier in the game, Deine Mariner is back with Josiah Karapani now coming off the field with a leg issue following an awkward tackle from Victor Radley. 

61st min: The fightback is well and truly on with Pat Carrigan over for a rare try. This game is being played at a frenetic pace and with some possession in their favour, the Broncos are working hard to turn the tide. Josiah Karapani came agonisingly close on the left edge but was just short, but the Broncos got themselves a six-again, using it to go to their lock who barged over. Duffy converts and it's 30-18.

59th min: Another try to the Broncos with Xavier Willison out-stepping Tedesco to go over under the posts. Brisbane got their chance after Ramsey put down a Walsh long kick and they built from there, with Duffy putting in the pass to the Kiwi international who has moved to the second row. Duffy converts and it's 30-12. 

51st min: That consistent effort is rewarded for the Broncos with Walsh getting his team on the board with a strong run from dummy half to force his way over. Tom Duffy - who is on for Reynolds - slots the conversion. Roosters lead 30-6. 

48th min: Massive play from Reece Walsh who prevented an almost certain try from Savala who just needed to get the ball down before the left sideline. The Broncos back up that effort with a good kick-chase from Jordan Riki who forced an error from Tupou, showing the visitors aren't giving up. 

45th min: All happening at Allianz Stadium. Deine Mariner and Mark Nawaqanitawase joining Lindsay Collins and Adam Reynolds on the sidelines.

45th min - Injury alert: Adam Reynolds is off the field with a Cat 1 head knock. 

44th min: The Roosters continue their momentum from the firs half and are the first to score with Nat Butcher going in under the posts after some good lead-up play from Connor Watson before a short pass to his forward. The Broncos are ruing some poor discipline that helped the Roosters to more possession. Walker converts and it's 30-0. 

Half-time: The Roosters have had the Broncos on the back foot from the get-go and go into the break with a 24-0 lead. The stats here tell the story, the Roosters have had 68 percent of the possession, completing at 21/26. The Broncos on the other hand have completed at 9/12. In defence, the Roosters have made 109 tackles - but the Broncos have been forced into making 221 tackles. 

39th min: When you're hot, you're hot and the chooks are flaming. A kick from Connor Watson goes directly off the foot of Mam - who didn't even play at it - but it bounces back straight into the arms of Sam Walker who takes the ball over the tryline to score just before the siren. He converts and it's 24-0. 

34th min: Broncos winger Deine Mariner has come from the field worse for wear with a cork, prompting Jesse Arthars to come on for the visitors. 

33rd min: Another try to the Roosters down the left with a clever kick from Sam Walker getting in behind the Broncos, with Hugo Savala getting to the ball first. Brisbane had been under the pump and defending gamely, but weren't awake to the threat of the Roosters halfback and his short kicking game. Walker converts the try and it's 18-0 to the Roosters. 

26th min: Mark Nawaqanitawase has come from the field with an ankle injury, meaning Cody Ramsey comes on in his place in a remarkable come-back story for the former Dragon who had his career stalled with ulcerative colitis. Ramsay last played NRL in Round 25, 2022.

21st min: The Roosters lose their captain's challenge with Angus Crichton losing the ball in a tackle, with Adam Reynolds cleared of any interference. 

19th min: Another try for Daniel Tupou out on the left edge who is able to get past an attempted tackle from Deine Mariner. The Roosters winger is now equal with Billy Slater in third place on the all-time tryscoring list behind Alex Johnston and Ken Irvine. Walker's conversion attempt just slides wide and the score remails 12-0.  

18th min - injury alert: Jack Gosiewski is also off for the Broncos for a HIA. Update - Gosiewski has passed his HIA.

14th min - injury alert: Roosters forward Lindsay Collins comes off for a HIA. Update - Collins has failed his HIA and will take no further part in the game.

7th min: Tedesco falls awkwardly following a tackle from Ben Talty, who is put on report and penalised. No harm done to the fullback who gets back up, but when questioning why the Broncos forward was not sent to the sin bin for a hip drop, is informed that after review, it was deemed there was no elevated risk of injury. Walker slots the penalty and the score is now 8-0 to the Roosters. 

3rd min: First points to the Roosters with Daly Cherry-Evans throwing a dummy and running through a gap created between Gehamat Shibasaki and Ezra Mam on Brisbane's left edge. Good work from Reece Robson to get the momentum rolling forward, with James Tedesco throwing the last pass before the try was scored. Sam Walker converts for a 6-0 lead.

Kick-off: Reece Walsh boots the ball to the Roosters in his return game to get the match started. 

Late Mail

Roosters: Stability for the Roosters who are chasing five wins in a row. Trent Robinson has named the same 19 that handily defeated the Dragons last week and is not expected to make any late changes. Blake Steep was omitted 24 hours before kick-off and will return to NSW Cup this weekend. Not late changes on game day. 

Broncos: Star fullback Reece Walsh is set to wear a custom headgear as he looks to make his return from a facial fracture. "He has ticked all the boxes, he is ready to go. He has ticks from all the medical guy and he is ready to go," coach Michael Maguire said on Friday. Jesse Arthars is also in the mix to comeback from a calf injury and remains on the six-man bench, along with the returning Aublix Tawha (facial fracture). Pat Carrigan is straight back into the starting side in his return from suspension, Xavier Willison shifting to edge forward in place of the injured Brendan Piakura (knee). Not late changes on game day. 

Numbers Game

• The Roosters have won six of their last eight games against the Broncos.
• The Broncos have won their last three games in Sydney by four points or less.
• Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored eight tries in his last five games at Allianz Stadium.
• Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored six tries from his past seven games.
• Roosters winger Daniel Tupou requires one try to join Billy Slater in third place on the all-time tryscoring list.

 

Eels v Warriors at CommBank Stadium

Press conferences

Eels 

Warriors

Next stop, Magic Round: The Warriors have a bye in Round 10 to recharge the batteries before they meet the Broncos in an absolute showstopper at Magic Round on May 17.

Full-time: The Warriors completed 37 of 44 sets at 84 per cent and came up with 44 tackle breaks to 28. The Wahs had stars across the park and none better than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who ran for 179 metres and broke six tackles.

77 min: Veteran centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck caps a fine game with a try after good work on the inside from Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita. That's the icing on the Wahs' fourth win in a row. Boyd converts. Warriors 36-14

73 min: Tanah Boyd goes to the line and throws a pressure pass for Jacob Laban who can't hang on to the pass.

70 min: A risky lofted pass by Mitch Moses 20 metres out from his own line is intercepted by Alofiana Khan-Pereira who busts a tackle and scrambles over to complete his double. Tanah Boyd adds the extras. Warriors 30-14

69 min: Alofiana Khan-Pereira takes a bomb close to his line and makes 50 metres courtesy of some dazzling footwork.

67 min: Chanel Harris-Tavita chips towards the corner and the ball evades everyone and rolls into touch-in-goal despite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's best efforts to get it down.

64 min: Jackson Ford continues his superb season with a try courtesy of crafty ball-playing from Erin Clark whose pass is simply too good for the Parra defenders. Tanah Boyd converts. Warriors 24-14

63 min: Kelma Tuilagi fails to get to his feet to play the ball and comes up with a simple error, the Eels' 10th of the match.

60 min: The Eels go to the air and the ball is spilled by Adam Pompey, it rolls into the in goal and Ronald Volkman shows great urgency to get to the ball first and score his second try. Mitch Moses misses the conversion. Warriors 18-14

59 min: Luca Moretti is placed on report for a high tackle on Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

57 min: Saxon Pryke comes up with an error with the Eels on the attack 20 metres out. The Eels compound the mistake when they are penalised for being offside at the scrum.

53 min: A try goes begging for the Warriors after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak fails to scoop up a loose ball with the line open.

52 min: Demitric Vaimauga brings the ball back from the kick-off and skittles Dylan Walker who leaves the field. 

49 min: Ronald Volkman is penalised for a late tackle on the kicker Tanah Boyd and the Warriors march up field and receive another penalty for inside the 10 metres. Boyd boots the penalty goal. Warriors 18-10

46 min: Will Penisini leaves the field for a HIA which he passes.

45 min: Brian Kelly comes up with a spectacular catch off a Mitch Moses bomb and gets a miraculous flick pass to Will Penisini who dives into the corner and gets the ball down with the Warriors defenders closing in. Moses misses the conversion. Warriors 16-10

43 min: A high tackle penalty against Eddie Ieremia-Toeava invites the Eels into good attacking position.

Lethal Loffie: Warriors flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira bagged another try to take his career tally to a stunning 58 tries in 58 games. The former Titan now has five tries in his past three games and his blistering speed off the mark ensures there should be plenty more to come.

Half-time: After a slow start the Warriors took control thanks to Tanah Boyd's kicking game and six errors from Eels, who completed at just 73 per cent.

40 min: Another Eel is pinged for obstructing a chaser as Brian Kelly impedes Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The resulting penalty goal from Tanah Boyd gives the Wahs a 10-point lead at the break. Warriors 16-6

35 min: The Eels are penalised for an obstruction by Ronald Volkman as he impedes the Warriors' kick chase. The Eels lodge a captain's challenge and come up empty but a mistake by Leka Halasima eases the pressure.

33 min: The Warriors go to the air and Joash Papalii climbs above the pack to bring down a good take.

30 min: Warriors hooker Wayde Egan leaves the field for a HIA which he fails.

30 min: Josh Addo-Carr gets over the line but Taine Tuaupiki and Dallin Watene-Zelzniak scramble well and hold The Foxx up.

28 min: The Eels look slick going left but Sean Russell takes his eye off the ball and comes up with an error on the halfway line but the Warriors hand it straight back through a Leka Halasima error.

25 min: The fleet footed Taine Tuaupiki gets outside Ronald Volkman and then delivers a flick pass for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to power into the corner for his 10th try of the season. Tanah Boyd fails to convert. Warriors 14-6

23 min: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck takes the ball 40 metres out and powers over the top of Brian Kelly before being dragged down by Joash Papalii who falls off the tackle. RTS gets back to his feet and dives over the line but replays show he loses control as he tried to ground the ball. Eels 20-metre tap.

18 min: Erin Clark and James Fisher-Harris combine in the middle before Chanel Harris-Tavita fires a bullet pass to a flying Alofiana Khan-Pereira who dives into the left corner. Tanah Boyd pushes the conversion across the face. Warriors 10-6

17 min: Joash Papalii jumps into dummy half and makes a mess of the pick-up and the Warriors go on the attack again.

14 min: Tanah Boyd drifts to the right edge and delivers a sublime short pass to Leka Halasima who powers through the hole to score his fifth try of the season. Boyd adds the extras. 6-6

13 min: A high tackle penalty against Tallyn Da Silva invites the Warriors into opposition territory with a full set.

10 min: The Warriors create a chance but Chanel Harris-Tavita throws a poor pass and Brian Kelly comes up with the intercept.

9 min: An early blow for the Eels with hooker Ryley Smith forced to leave the field in the hands of two trainers with a sternum injury. Tallyn Da Silva enters the game.

8 min: Sean Russell and Josh Addo-Carr compete with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for a bomb and referee Gerard Sutton rules a Warriors knock on. The Warriors throw in a captain's challenge and replays show Addo-Carr got the first touch and had knocked on.

5 min: Ronald Volkman takes on the line from close range and leaves Tanah Boyd and Leka Halasima in his wake as he crosses for his second try in three games. Mitch Moses converts. Eels 6-0

4 min: A powerful surge from Luca Moretti earns the Eels a six-again and the home side go on the attack.

NSW Cup: A big boost for the Eels in the NSW Cup clash played earlier in the day with playmaker Jonah Pezet returning ahead of schedule from a hamstring injury. Pezet came up with seven goals and a field goal in the Eels' 43-14 win over the Warriors. Centre Jordan Samrani also returned from a knee injury in the same match.

Late Mail

Eels: Kelma Tuilagi has been promoted to the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Charlie Guymer going to the bench. Utility Dylan Walker is good to go despite failing to see out the contest against the Sea Eagles last week with an arm injury. Teancum Brown has been added to the six-man bench in jersey No.21 on game day.

Warriors: No late changes on game day after Tanner Stowers-Smith (hamstring) and playmaker Te Maire Martin (leg) were omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off after originally being named to return from injury. Luke Metcalf has been named on the interchange as he looks to return from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 5. Adam Pompey comes into the centres in place of Ali Leiataua (concussion), while Mitch Barnett is also in the concussion protocols.

Numbers Game

• The Eels have won six of their last seven games against the Warriors.
• The Warriors will play their 400th premiership game in Australia.
• Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 12 tries in his last nine games at CommBank Stadium.
• Warriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored try doubles in all four games he has played against the Eels.
• The Eels are ranked 17th for defence; conceding an average of 35 points per game.

 

Titans v Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium

Timoko goes big: Raiders centre Matt Timoko had a monster game with 25 runs for 326 metres including 124 post-contact metres. Kaeo Weekes (216m) and Savelio Tamale (212m) also posted big numbers while young halfback Ethan Sanders came up with two try assists and three line break assists in a composed display.

Full-time: A huge win for the Raiders away from home and missing Josh Papalii, Ethan Strange, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Noah Martin and Xavier Savage. The Green Machine completed 36 of 42 sets at 85 per cent and racked up 2013 run metres to 1595 for the Titans.

80 min: Seb Kris comes up with an intercept and races 60 metres down the right wing to put the icing on Canberra's victory. Ethan Sanders converts from wide out. Raiders 28-12

77 min: Another shot at points for the Titans but Jayden Campbell comes up with an error at first receiver.

75 min: Keano Kini's footwork opens the Raiders up and the Titans threaten to score but the ball goes loose and AJ Brimson eventually knocks on under pressure from Matt Timoko.

73 min: An offside penalty against Phil Sami has the Titans under the pump and Owen Pattie gets over the line but is held up.

69 min: Owen Pattie comes up with a 40-20 attempt out of dummy half and Phil Sami has to get on his bike to keep the ball in play.

66 min: All class from Jayden Campbell as he grubbers for the in-goal and Jojo Fifita follows through to score and keep the Titans in the hunt. Campbell converts. Raiders 22-12

64 min: Jed Stuart races in off his wing and jams AJ Brimson who comes up with an error in contact.

62 min: Beau Fermor finds space and picks up AJ Brimson who grubbers towards the corner. Phil Sami chases hard and cops a push in the back from Daine Laurie so the Titans get a penalty.

59 min: The Raiders choose to run the ball on the last tackle and Simi Sasagi is pulled down five metres out so the Titans come away.

57 min: The Raiders throw in a captain's challenge claiming an obstruction by the Titans and come up trumps to move up field and onto the attack.

50 min: Joe Tapine comes up with a great offload to Tom Starling and the Raiders go to the left where Ethan Sanders lofts a perfectly timed pass to Savelio Tamale who crosses in the corner. Sanders adds the conversion from touch. Raiders 22-6

49 min: A strong tackle over the top by Daine Laurie forces an error from Keano Kini and the Raiders take over from 30 metres out.

47 min: Ethan Sanders busts the line from long range but replays show Jayden Brailey had stopped in the line and obstructed Cooper Bai. The 'try' is called back and the penalty puts the Titans on the attack. 

Injury blow: The Raiders will play the second half without back-rower Joe Roddy, who has a suspected fractured hand.

Happy 100th: Beau Fermor was a solid contributor in the opening 40 minutes of his 100th career game with 91 run metres, three tackle breaks and 15 tackles.

Half-time: Matt Timoko and Kaeo Weekes combine for 17 runs and 294 metres while Daine Laurie also looks dangerous for the Green Machine, who complete 17 of 20 sets at 85 per cent. 

40 min: Daine Laurie carves a hole up the middle and picks up Tom Starling who offloads for Kaeo Weekes who looks certain to score before Jayden Campbell comes up with a trysaver to keep the margin at 10 at the break. Raiders 16-6

38 min: The Raiders get a late chance to extend their lead and Joe Tapine puts the ball down cold to let the Titans off the hook.

36 min: Cooper Bai powers past Tom Starling and Corey Horsburgh but looses the ball when he is tackled by Kaeo Weekes within sight of the tryline.

33 min: A mistake by Jed Stuart invites the Titans into the red zone and the home side threatens on the left before Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's final pass to Jayden Campbell goes astray.

31 min: The Titans go to the air, Jed Stuart and Phil Sami contest the ball. It falls to AJ Brimson who crosses for a 'try' but replays show Sami had knocked the ball on before Stuart dropped it. The Raiders come away.

27 min: Lachlan Ilias and AJ Brimson handle before Phil Sami gets across in the left-hand corner after Jed Stuart had come in off his wing and left some room for the Titans winger. Jayden Campbell converts. Raiders 16-6

27 min: Joe Roddy is penalised for a strip to give the Titans back-to-back sets from close range. Moeaki Fotuaika gets across the stripe but the Raiders hold him up on second tackle.

21 min: Kaeo Weekes takes the first pass off the ruck 40 metres out from the tryline and slices past Jayden Campbell to race away and post the Raiders' third try. Ethan Sanders can't convert from touch. Raiders 16-0

20 min: Jed Stuart climbs high to bring down a bomb just short of the Titans line but the ball goes loose as he tries to get an offload away.

17 min: A probing run on the right edge by Jojo Fifita puts the Titans in good position but his offload is too high for Jayden Campbell who spills it.

13 min: Make it a double for Simi Sasagi after some great lead-up work by Kaeo Weekes who bamboozled the defence with some fancy stepping. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 12-0

10 min: A slick Titans backline move to the right wing but Sialetili Faeamani puts the ball down with the line wide open.

8 min: Daine Laurie comes up with a great slips catch off a Lachlan Ilias chip kick and races away to put the Raiders on the attack but Simi Sasagi's last-tackle kick is too big and rolls dead.

5 min: The Raiders strike first through Simi Sasagi who pulls his way through the tackle of Arama Hau to score adjacent to the posts. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 6-0

4 min: Phil Sami comes up with a great take from a bomb but the Titans turn the ball over five metres out from their line when Beau Fermor makes a mess of the play-the-ball.

Late Mail

Titans: The Titans are 1-19 with no game day changes. Chris Randall returns from a calf injury and will line up at lock. Randall's comeback will see Cooper Bai shift to the interchange. AJ Brimson is also back on deck after missing Round 7 for the birth of his child and slots straight back into the centres. 

Raiders: Kaeo Weekes moves from fullback to five-eighth after Ethan Strange was ruled with an ankle injury. Daine Laurie is the new fullback. Owen Pattie has been added to the bench. Morgan Smithies and Joe Roddy were elevated to the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Jayden Brailey and Ata Mariota going to the bench. 

Numbers Game

• The Titans have not defeated the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium since 2018.
• The Raiders have won their last six games against the Titans.
• Titans centre Jojo Fifita has scored four tries in his last four games against the Raiders.
• Raiders centre Matt Timoko has scored six tries in six games against the Titans.
• Titans second-rower Beau Fermor will make his 100th NRL appearance.