Roosters Rise to Sink Sharks in Sixth-Straight Win

Easts were welcomed by a wall of defence and kept in their own 30 metres for their opening set, but a wonderful fifth-tackle kick from Sam Walker was fumbled by Ronaldo Mulitalo - gifting the visitors their first opportunity in close range. 

On the ensuing play, Trent Robinson's men fired a warning shot to Cronulla as Joseph Manu burst through the defence and grounded the ball in-goal. But after review from the Bunker, an obstruction was ruled in the play and the try was denied.

Gritty defence from Lindsay Collins and Siua Wong halted Cameron McInnes, who looked to score for Cronulla but the Bunker was unable to confirm grounding with the arms of the Roosters' forwards underneath the ball.  

Building momentum in attack following an offload from Victor Radley, Wong broke through the Sharks' defensive line and found Manu who raced upfield before connecting with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, but the hosts shut down the effort. 

A handling error by the Tricolours allowed the Sharks to apply significant pressure and truly test the Bondi Wall. 

Manu's attempt to intercept the ball granted Cronulla more possession in dominant territory before a set restart allowed the hosts to set up camp within 10 metres of their try-line. 

Miraculous defence from James Tedesco, who raced Jesse Ramien to ground the ball in the in-goal, ensured Cronulla would receive another set of six through a goal-line drop-out. 

But the mounting pressure took it's toll, with Nicho Hynes firing a floating cut-out pass to Sione Katoa who made the Roosters pay for a four-on-two overlap, racing into the in-goal to score in the 12th minute. Braydon Trindall was unable to convert, leaving the score at 4-0. 

Six minutes later the Sharks extended their lead to one converted try after Sam Walker was penalised and put on report for a try-saving, but high, tackle. 

Execution continued to cruel the Roosters as a mis-timed pass rolled over the sideline and forced them into more defence. But a bone-rattling tackle from Walker forced the ball free from the grasp of Jack Williams a couple of plays later. 

A handing error from Cronulla afforded the Tricolours one last chance inside the opening half, but the hosts' defence was too strong, wrapping Manu up in-goal on the siren. 

The Roosters emerged from the sheds without Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who failed his HIA during the break and quickly lost Billy Smith to a HIA after he was collected high in the opening set. 

But despite their lack of outside backs, Manu stepped up to cling onto a trademark long ball from Walker and claim the visitors' opening try in the 42nd minute following barnstorming runs from Brandon Smith and Angus Crichton. Walker converted the try from the sideline to level the scores. 

A piece of brilliance from Wong looked to send Tedesco over for a try, but the representative fullback couldn't hold on to the offload, spilling the ball on his way to the line. 

Collins sprinted almost 70 metres to shut down Trindall in a combined effort with Tedesco, but the Roosters Skipper held on to Hynes for too long after he received the ball at dummy half and was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul.

Tedesco's absence left the Roosters with Fetalaiga Pauga as the only starting player in the back-line, as Manu was taken from the field with a hamstring injury. 

The Sharks made the most of their one-man advantage to send Ronaldo Mulitalo over on the left edge a minute later, but Hynes couldn't convert, leaving the score at 10-6.

A remarkable long ball from Luke Keary unleashed Pauga down the wing, but Hynes stepped up to make a try-saving tackle and shut down the play as quickly as it started. 

In the 67th minute, young utility Sandon Smith kicked the ball from dummy half and it ricocheted off the legs of the Sharks' defence and into the hands of Wong who leapt over the line. Billy Smith nailed the conversion after passing his HIA to lock up the scores once more.

Walker drilled a field-goal over the uprights in the 73rd minute to give the Tricolours to lead for the first time. 

Tedesco and Keary produced two incredible charge downs on Hynes to deny him the chance to level the scores, and the Roosters continued to stand tall across the park forcing the Sharks to throw the ball over the sideline to lock up the win and a Semi Final against the Melbourne Storm.

Sydney Roosters 13 (Joseph Manu, Siua Wong tries, Sam Walker, Billy Smith goals, Sam Walker field goal) def Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 12.