Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco has turned back the years with a trademark showing out from the back to steer his side to a 20-10 win over the Brisbane Broncos in the second of the NRL’s doubleheader in Las Vegas.
The Roosters came into this game missing significant experience in both the forward line and backline, whilst Brisbane were looking to right the wrongs of last year’s Grand Final.
It was a very similar start to the first of the double-header with both sides giving it their all with the ball in hand and in defensive positions.
An uncalculated pass from Ezra Mam fell perfectly into the path of Joey Manu in the fourth minute, giving the Kiwi an open run at the line and the first try of the contest.
Brisbane looked determined to make up for the error and began to get on the front foot as the game progressed.
The period of dominance from Brisbane proved to be short-lived lived as the Roosters quickly flipped the script and trapped their opponents on their try line.
Despite multiple sets within the Broncos’ ten-metre line and a couple of golden chances, the Roosters couldn’t convert and were made to pay moments later.
Brisbane finally broke through as Adam Reynolds set up Deine Mariner in the corner to put his side within two points.
Sam Walker slotted a field goal on the buzzer to give the Roosters an extra point advantage, but it was quickly ruled out thanks to the NRL’s new crackdown on one-point attempts.
As a result, the Roosters went into break with a four-point lead but the majority of the momentum.
The second half was a much more even affair throughout, but it was the Rooster who extended their lead in the early stages.
Junior Pauga, in just his 14th NRL game, was the beneficiary of a sensational flick pass from Joey Manu as he went over untouched in the corner.
The Broncos answered back shortly after with Selwyn Cobbo breaking through the line before offloading to Jesse Arthars, who found Reece Walsh on the inside.
With the game hanging in the balance, the intensity was turned up a notch as the Spencer Leniu-Jordan Riki match-up reached boiling point. The pair traded blows, which in turn inspired their teammates to take it up a level.
As the Roosters held a narrow four-point lead, it was the skipper James Tedesco who stepped up and assisted Victor Radley’s try in the 71st minute, putting the game seemingly beyond doubt.
The Roosters held on in the final minutes and secured an inspirational win against arguably the second-best side in the NRL.