Full Time
80:00
8:05pm Thu April 4, 2019
Round 4 - Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park / Gadigal - Crowd: 9304

Match Overview

A dominant display in both attack and defence from fullback James Tedesco has helped the Roosters to a 36-4 win over Brisbane at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night. 

Tedesco ran for over 200 metres, busted seven tackles and scored a try - numbers that rugby league pundits have now come to expect from the 26-year old. 

But his defence was just as impressive, coming up with a try-saving tackle on a surging Kotoni Staggs while his positioning when covering kicks was faultless.

Cooper Cronk also battled through severe back bruising to set up three tries in the first half. 

Nine errors and 32 missed tackles proved Brisbane's undoing early as they slumped to a 22-0 deficit heading into the sheds.

The Roosters' first try came in the 8th minute when a lovely tap on from Joseph Manu sent Matt Ikuvalu over in the corner. 

The home side were just doing all the little things right. The same couldn't be said for their opponents, who soon after conceded a seven-tackle set before Jamayne Isaako was dragged into touch on the ensuing set.

It handed the Tricolours a full set on Brisbane's line and they quickly capitalised, with Angus Crichton surging over off a short ball from Cronk.

The classy halfback then turned Mitchell Aubusson back inside and the versatile second rower strolled over untouched to extend their lead to 18.

Anthony Seibold's men had a rare opportunity when Jack Bird steamed onto a deft Anthony Milford grubber but the centre couldn't convert it into points.

And it proved costly as the Roosters went on to strike late, with Daniel Tupou outleaping the Brisbane defenders to plant the ball down, the score line reading 22-0 at oranges.

The Broncos showed much more energy in the second half, threatening to strike twice early. The first came through a charging Staggs before Anthony Milford chased onto a Darius Boyd grubber. And in both cases, there were no defenders in sight besides Tedesco.

But the Roosters fullback stepped up in both occasions, denying Brisbane their first try of the afternoon.

Cronk later went off to nurse back bruising and soon after Brisbane finally went over, Matt Gillett slicing through to reduce the deficit to 18.

Any chance of a late comeback was snuffed when Tedesco was rewarded for his determine defence with a try of his own. 

Aubusson then nabbed his second of the night when he was on the spot to ground a spilt bomb in the corner.

A late try to Manu, which has to be seen to believed, pushed the final difference to 32 as the Roosters temporarily soar up to second place on the ladder.

They face a sterner test next Saturday night against the Sharks at Cronulla while Brisbane look to arrest a concerning form slump when they host the Tigers on Thursday.

3. James Tedesco

209 running metres, seven tackle busts, one try and brilliant in cover defence. He did everything right tonight.

2. Siosiua Taukeiaho

Stepped up in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' absence with over 200 running metres, dragging defenders with him in every tackle.

1. Matt Ikuvalu

Got through plenty of tough work bringing the ball up, running for a game-high 228 metres while busting nine tackles.