Roosters out-grit gallant Knights


In a match that hung right in the balance until the final 20 minutes, veteran fullback Anthony Minichiello put his hand up for a NSW Jersey with a stellar performance.

The home side showed their intent early with Braith Anasta opting for a short-kick off to open the match and place his side in prime attacking position in the opening minutes. However some strong defence from the Knights saw them survive the first Roosters' raid on their line.

The Roosters were given several more opportunities to open the scoring in the first 20 minutes of the match, however, solid goal line defence ensure the home side came back empty handed. 

Shaun Kenny-Dowall appeared as if he may have snared the opening points in the 28th minute but replays revealed he had illegally challenged James McManus and the home side were penalised.

The Knights received back to back penalties and Jarrod Mullen found his way over the line in the 29th minute. Wes Nqaima converted the try to extend the Knights' lead to six. 

The Roosters were given an opportunity to hit back minutes later on the back of a penalty and Mose Masoe found his way through- the Roosters' forward grounded a Mitchell Pearce grubber to score. Anasta converted the try to level the score.

The Roosters claimed the lead moments before half-time with Anasta kicking a penalty goal after Joel Edwards was penalised for a dangerous throw.

The defensive efforts from both side were solid following the break and it was not until the 59th minute that the dead lock was broken. Mitchell Aubusson sliced through the defence and raced 30 metres to score.

The Roosters were over again five minutes later when Sam Perett capped off a wonderful team try before Jake Friend created a try for Pearce with less than ten minutes to go.

Despite being on the wrong end of a 24-6 score line with less than 10 minutes left  in the match, the Knights were not ready to give up, Naqaima opted for the short kick off and the Knights caught the Roosters offside. However the efforts came to nothing and the Roosters held on to win 24-6. 

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 24 defeated Newcastle Knights 6
National Rugby League - Round 9 - Sunday May 6, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne and Gavin Morris
Video Referee: Chris Ward
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Michael Wise
Crowd: 12728
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 8 Newcastle Knights 6 players of the match:
3 Points - Anthony Minichiello
2 Points - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
1 Point - Mitchell Pearce (1 Try)

Sydney Roosters (24)
Tries: Sam Perrett, Mitchell Pearce, Mitchell Aubusson, Tinirau Arona
Conversions: Braith Anasta (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Braith Anasta (1/1)

Newcastle Knights (6)
Tries: Jarrod Mullen
Conversions: Wes Naiqama (1/1) Live Commentary Good afternoon and welcome to Allianz Stadium where the Sydney Roosters host the Newcastle Knights.
Both coaches have revealed their final sides for this afternoons clash. For the Knights hooker Danny Buderus and Prop Evarn Tuimavave are out. Neville Costigan moves from lock to hooker to cover for Buderus while Richard Fa'aso comes into the side and will start at prop for Tuimavave. Adam Cuthbertson also comes into the side to fill the lock position in place of Costigan.
In the Toyota Cup the Knights have defeated the Roosters 28-22 despite a late fightback from the Chooks.
1 min: Braith Anasta goes for a short kick off and the Roosters have the ball only 30 out from the Knights' line in the first minute.
1 min: Mitch Pearce goes to the air on the last but the ball does not reach the in goal and Timana Tahu cleans it up.
5 min: Anasta grubbers into the in goal on the last and Boyd is forced to bat it dead.
7 min: The Roosters will receive another line dropout.
9 min: Mitchell Aubusson loses the ball only a few metres out from the Knights' try line.
9 min: Knights receive a penalty.
10 min: The Knights will get another penalty.
11 min: Adam Cuthbertson loses the ball early in the tackle count only a few metres out from the Roosters' line.
12 min: Anthony Minichiello loses the ball and the Knights will go one the attack again.
12 min: James MsManus cannot hang onto a pass from Boyd and the Roosters are off the hook
15 min: The Roosters receive a penalty.
15 min: The Roosters receive a penalty.
16 min: Shaun Kenny-Dowall is caught with ball on the last a few metres from the try line.
17 min: Roosters are pinned for being offside.
19 min: Cuthbertson spills the ball a metre or two out from the Roosters' line.
20 min: The Roosters receive a penalty late in the penalty count and they will go right on the attack.
21 min: Aiden Guerra loses the ball a few metres out from the Knights' line.
24 min: Mose Masoe strips the ball from Costigon 30 out from the Kinights' line and the Roosters are on the attack.
25 min: Tyrone Roberts knocks the ball on trying to stop a pass and the Roosters will get another set of six only 20 out.
26 min: Pearce grubbers on the last but it doesn't reach the in goal and James McManus has no problem cleaning it up.
27 min: Possible try to the Roosters here.
28 min: No try! Kenny-Dowall is penalised for a challenge on McManus as he was trying to diffuse Anasta's bomb.
31 min: TRY
TRY! Jarrod Mullen throws a dummy and the defenders drift left and Mullen puts on a step to score. Wes Naqaima adds the extras.
Newcastle Knights 6-0
34 min: Roosters receive a penalty and will have a chance to hit back.
36 min: TRY
TRY! Tinirau Arona scores after Pearce finally manages to get a grubber into the in goal. Anasta adds the extras.
6 all
39 min: The Roosters receive a penalty after Joel Edwards is pinned for a dangerous throw. Braith Anasta will take a shot at goal.
40 min: PENALTY GOAL Dewsbury Rams (NL1)
Anasta nails the shot at goal on half-time.
Sydney Roosters 8-6
41 min: Wes Naqaima kicks off to bring the second half under way.
44 min: The Knights receive the first penalty of the second half and will get a piggyback up the field.
45 min: Tahu knocks on 30 out from the Roosters' line on the fourth.
48 min: Alex McKinnon loses the ball on halfway in a bone crunching tackle from Jared Waerea Hargreaves.
50 min: The Roosters will get a line dropout.
51 min: Lost ball by the Roosters.
52 min: The Knights receive a penalty.
53 min: Knights receive a scrum five metres from the Roosters' line.
54 min: Mullen's kick bounces over the sideline five out from the Roosters' line.
60 min: TRY
TRY! Mitchell Aubusson slices through the Knights' defence and runs 30 metres to score for the Roosters. Anasta fails to convert the try.
Sydney Roosters 12-6
62 min: McManus loses the ball 35 out from his own line.
65 min: TRY
TRY! The Roosters spread it out wide through Minichiello and Sam Perrett beats three defenders to score in the corner. Anasta from the touch line converts the try.
Sydney Roosters 18-6
70 min: The Roosters receive a penalty and will have an opportunity to put the nail in the coffin.
73 min: TRY
TRY! Friend puts on a little step and draws a few defenders before throwing a quick pass to Pearces who puts on the accelerator to streak through and score. Anasta adds the extras.
Sydney Roosters 24-6
73 min: Knights attempt a short kick off and the Roosters knock it on.
75 min: Guerra takes and intercept ten out and the Roosters are off the hook.
80 min: We have a brawl as the full-time siren sounds. The Roosters come away with a 24-6 match, in a game that could have went either way until the final 20.



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