Round 2
Sydney Roosters 14 l. Brisbane Broncos 20

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Broncos grind out Roosters in drama charged clash
Sat March 22, 2008
Brisbane remains undefeated after two rounds as they defeated the Roosters 20-14 in a highly controversial clash as both sides proved they'll be top four contenders this year.

An unsavouring incident that saw Braith Anasta sustain a broken nose from a shoulder charge by Karmichael Hunt gone wrong was just one of many incidents that soured what was otherwise a game of the highest quality (to use a Laurie Daley pun).

There will be pressure on the NRL judiciary to cite Hunt for the incident following the outcry of Riley Brown's cheap shot on Craig Wing in the opening match of the season.

Video referee Steve Clark and referee Jared Maxwell both came under plenty of fire during the match with several contentious calls going the Broncos way.

Roosters winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall was disallowed a try in the first half when Clark ruled there had been obstruction when he ruled that Brisbane centre Justin Hodges had been obstructed by decoy runner Mitch Aubusson.

The Roosters were also on the receiving end of some 50-50 penalties in the second half where the use of the video replay was used too much with Roosters coach Brad Fittler claiming that our game is fast turning into the bore that is rugby union with all the stoppages.

Fittler told the Daily Telegraph, "It's getting ridiculous. We've broken down the game too much.

"If we keep going, in five years time it will be just rugby union and rugby union has been pretty disappointing lately."

Roosters captain Craig Fitzgibbon was penalised for a contentious strip in the 53rd minute in a crucial match turning incident, which was influenced by the video referee.

Fitzgibbon said, "It's frustrating. It takes the human part out of the game.

"There are moments when you would like to get on with it instead of fart-arsing around."

The Hunt incident, which left Anasta with a broken nose is going to be the biggest controversy emerging from what was otherwise a classic game of football between two excellent football teams.

Fittler admitted the charge was fair and that ruling out the shoulder charge would be difficult. Fittler said, "We just keep wanting to change the game so much when we've got such a great product. It would be nearly impossible to rule out completely."

Anasta believes that he probably contributed to his own injury and he has no problem with Hunt's challenge. Anasta said, "To tell you the truth I can't really remember it and everyone tells me I slipped.

"He was very apologetic afterwards and I've got no problem."

The Roosters looked disjointed following the Anasta incident and the Broncos grinded out the two points in a very professional fashion.

However, a few dubious calls and Anasta's broken nose will cloud what was otherwise a terrifc clash.


Roosters and Broncos NRL and NYC teams
Tue March 18, 2008
Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos do battle in the first of the Good Friday clashes at the Sydney Football Stadium with kick off at 7:30pm and the Toyota Cup kicks off at 5:30pm.

Both sides had impressive victories in the opening round with the Roosters disposing of Souths 34-20 and the Broncos thumped Penrith 48-12 with Darren Lockyer making a successful return from injury.

Willie Mason has been named in the starting side after being moved to the bench last week with Nate Myles promoted to the starting side. Lockyer also started from the bench last week, but with a run under his belt has been named in the five-eighth position.

Both sides showed in the opening round that they will be contenders this season. The Roosters in particular have the forward power and the depth to challenge Melbourne all the way for the title.

Changes for the Broncos:

NRL:
In - David Taylor, Nick Kenny
Out - Joel Clinton, Corey Parker

NYC:
In - Jharal Yow Yeh, Leon Panapa, Josh Coyle
Out - Will Tupou, Josh McGuire, Wiremu Ratana

Should be a cracking match between two sides that always put on a good battle.

NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
Sydney Football Stadium
Friday 21st March
Kick Off: 7:30pm

Sydney Roosters:
1 Anthony Minichiello
2 Amos Roberts
3 Brent Grose
4 Setaimata Sa
5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6 Braith Anasta
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 David Shillington
9 Riley Brown
10 Mark O'Meley
11 Willie Mason
12 Anthony Tupou
13 Craig Fitzgibbon (c)

Subs:
14 Lopini Paea
15 Sia Soliola
16 Nate Myles
17 James Aubusson
18 Danny Nutley
(one to be omitted)

Coach: Brad Fittler

Brisbane Broncos:
1 Karmichael Hunt
2 Reece Robinson
3 Steve Michaels
4 Justin Hodges
5 Darius Boyd
6 Darren Lockyer (c)
7 Peter Wallace
8 Ben Hannant
9 PJ Marsh
10 Sam Thaiday
11 David Stagg
12 Ashton Sims
13 Tonie Carroll

14 Shane Perry
15 David Taylor
16 Greg Eastwood
17 Nick Kenny

Coach: Wayne Bennett


TOYOTA NYC CUP
Sydney Football Stadium
Friday 21st March
Kick Off: 5:30pm

Sydney Roosters:
1 Javarn White
2 Galu Teo
3 Antonio Winterstein
4 Mark Talanoa
5 Alan Heldsinger
6 Ben Jones
7 Ben Cronin (c)
8 Mose Masoe
9 Brock Molan
10 Marty Kennedy
11 Anthony Cherrington
12 David Hala
13 Rohan Ahern

Subs:
14 Jimmy Tamou
15 Baden Hall
16 Tommy Symonds
17 Hermani Moala

Coach: Adrian Lam

Brisbane Broncos:
1 Josh Hoffman
2 Daniel Tanswell
3 Alex Glenn
4 Josh Williams
5 Jharal Yow Yeh
6 Gerard Beale
7 Ben Hunt
8 Dunamis Lui
9 Tom Butterfield
10 Mitchell Dodds
11 Matt Handcock
12 Michael Spence
13 Brendon Gibb

Subs:
14 Nathan Strudwick
15 Leon Panapa
16 Josh Coyle
17 Troyden Watene

Coach: Anthony Griffin

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