Roosters Suffer Another Injury Setback Before NRLW Grand Final

The Sydney Roosters faced significant injury setbacks ahead of the NRLW grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. This affected their performance during the match, which saw the Broncos lead with a score of 12-0 at half-time.

Key Injuries Impacting Roosters

Before the kick-off, the Roosters were already dealing with the absence of key players. Notably, halfback Tarryn Aiken, try-scoring winger Taina Naividi, and impactful forward Amber Hall were sidelined. Fullback Brydie Parker returned mid-game after passing a head injury assessment, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s morale.

First Half Highlights

• The Broncos established dominance early, completing 80% of their plays compared to the Roosters’ 65%.
• Brisbane outperformed Sydney in total meters run, amassing 800 meters against the Roosters’ 700.
• Mele Hufanga and Tamika Upton were standout players for the Broncos, consistently breaking through the Roosters’ defense.

Errors and Missed Opportunities

Throughout the first half, Sydney struggled with errors, including failed attacks that resulted in dropped balls. In one instance, Jocelyn Kelleher attempted to strip the ball from Hufanga but lost possession, resulting in a missed scoring opportunity. The Roosters’ woes continued as their slow play-the-ball allowed Brisbane’s Ali Brigginshaw to intercept and halt a promising line break.

Brisbane’s Offensive Strategy

Brisbane’s attack was efficient, evident in their scoring plays. Jada Ferguson, coming off the bench, scored a crucial try in the first half. With a powerful run from the dummy-half position, she plunged through the Roosters’ defense for a classic try.

Performance Summary

As the half ended, the Roosters looked disoriented and fatigued, directly linked to their injury situation. Coach John Strange aimed to regroup his team during the half-time break to regain their competitive edge in the second half.

Looking Ahead

The Roosters must address their injury crisis and regain composure to turn the match around. Their performance in the remaining time is critical if they hope to contend against a strong Broncos side.