Sonny Bill Williams delivered some classic second half touches to propel the Sydney Roosters to a 26-18 win over Manly in a memorable NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. Photo: Photosport
T
he Roosters led 8-6 at halftime but fell behind 8-18 inside the first nine minutes of the second half after Manly altered the momentum.
Until then the SBW factor hadnt been significant but he altered that in a flash as he began to make his presence felt in what could be his last appearance in rugby league before returning to rugby union. Or will he? Thats a question yet to be answered.
However, the man himself provided telling statements on the field in the second half, especially in the build-up to Shaun Kenny-Dowalls 60th-minute try.
That try enabled the Roosters to go 20-18 ahead before they sealed the match with a bewildering Michael Jennings try.
Match details:
At ANZ Stadium, Homebush
Sydney Roosters 26 (Daniel Tupou, Aidan Guerra, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Michael Jennings tries; James Maloney 4 conversions, penalty).
Manly Sea Eagles 18 (Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai tries; Jamie Lyon 2 conversions, penalty).
Halftime: 8-6 Roosters.
Referees: Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins.
Crowd: 81,491.
T
he Roosters led 8-6 at halftime but fell behind 8-18 inside the first nine minutes of the second half after Manly altered the momentum.
Until then the SBW factor hadnt been significant but he altered that in a flash as he began to make his presence felt in what could be his last appearance in rugby league before returning to rugby union. Or will he? Thats a question yet to be answered.
However, the man himself provided telling statements on the field in the second half, especially in the build-up to Shaun Kenny-Dowalls 60th-minute try.
That try enabled the Roosters to go 20-18 ahead before they sealed the match with a bewildering Michael Jennings try.
Match details:
At ANZ Stadium, Homebush
Sydney Roosters 26 (Daniel Tupou, Aidan Guerra, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Michael Jennings tries; James Maloney 4 conversions, penalty).
Manly Sea Eagles 18 (Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai tries; Jamie Lyon 2 conversions, penalty).
Halftime: 8-6 Roosters.
Referees: Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins.
Crowd: 81,491.
