The Cronulla Sharks have secured their spot at the top of the table after holding off the Sydney Roosters in a “blockbuster” 38-30 finish.
Joseph Sua’ali’i was given marching orders for committing a professional foul on Ronaldo Mulitalo after he tackled the Sharks winger while not square at marker – in what proved to be a costly call in the final moments of the game.
Cronulla looked sure to go over almost immediately after an earlier Roosters try but was prevented by an offside Sua’ali’i.
The Cronulla Sharks have secured their spot at the top of the table after holding off the Sydney Roosters in a “blockbuster” 38-30 finish.
Joseph Sua’ali’i was given marching orders for committing a professional foul on Ronaldo Mulitalo after he tackled the Sharks winger while not square at marker – in what proved to be a costly call in the final moments of the game.
Cronulla looked sure to go over almost immediately after an earlier Roosters try but was prevented by an offside Sua’ali’i.
An error from James Tedesco opened the next opportunity for the Sharks after the Roosters fullback allowed a bomb kick from returning halfback Nicho Hynes to float toward the sidelines. The ball fell just short of the boundary before it bounced over for the Sharks to receive a 40/20.
“Tedesco just lost his compass. He didn’t know where he was and let the ball go out,” Corey Parker said in commentary for Fox League.
A quick play of the ball saw Teig Wilton slice in between Sam Walker and Sua’ali’i, and power over to score.
Despite the Sharks’ strength in attack, the Roosters’ Fetalaiga Pauga scored on the stroke of halftime, bringing the scores to 24-18.
“It has lived up to the blockbuster headlines that this game had,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
“This has been a hell of a game to watch,” Cooper Cronk replied.
The Sharks went over twice more in the second half before a late try from Young saw the Roosters back within two points of the win.
