2022 NRLW Grand Final: Team news, Roosters star Sarah Togatuki cleared to play
The Sydney Roosters’ NRLW grand final hopes received a major boost at the judiciary after one of their star forwards was cleared to play in the title decider. GRAND FINAL TEAMS
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The Roosters have received a big boost before Sunday’s NRLW premiership decider with prop forward Sarah Togatuki cleared to play by the judiciary on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old faced a two-week ban for her careless high tackle on Bronco Lavinia Gould during their semi-final clash but successfully downgraded the penalty to a warning.
It was a nervous 48 hours for the NSW representative who risked being rubbed out of Sunday’s grand final against the Dragons.
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Represented by her lawyer James McLeod, Togatuki was able to downgrade her charge to a grade one, which resulted in a warning.
It took the judiciary just over an hour of deliberation but cleared the forward to play in this weekend’s grand final at Redcliffe.
Togatuki received support from Gould prior to the judiciary hearing, with the Bronco revealing she didn’t want to see the Roosters enforcer miss the grand final because of the tackle.
“We play a contact sport and I don‘t believe she was out there to hurt me,” Gould told AAP earlier this week. “If I had my time again, I’d like to change my position on the way I went into the tackle and I’m sure she would do the same.
“There was no intent or malice on her behalf; it was just an unfortunate part of the game.
“I don‘t hold her accountable and I don’t want her to miss out on a grand final because she’s worked hard to get there.”
Togatuki has been named to play in the No.8 jersey this weekend in a fully-fit Roosters side, boasting 10 players with grand final experience.
Dummy-half Olivia Higgins succumbed to an ankle concern in last week’s semi-final against the Broncos but has been named to play this weekend.
The Dragons have also named a similar squad to the one which beat the Titans in their semi-final, with the only change being Tegan Dymock on the bench.
SHOCK TWIST IN NRLW GRAND FINAL DRAMA
Not too many people would have predicted an all-New South Wales grand final being played on Queensland soil but the Dragons and Roosters will battle it out in a historic NRLW decider this weekend.
The Dragons and Roosters will make history at Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with either club to become the first team since the Broncos three-year reign to be crowned the NRLW premiers.
It’s set to be a thrilling premiership decider between two star-studded sides, with Roosters centres Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis to come up against the in-form fullback Emma Tonegato.
After five rounds of below par performances, the Roosters turned up the heat on the 2021 minor premiers Brisbane at Leichhardt Oval and put together a stunning 22-16 victory in their first ever win over the Broncos.
It was an incredible comeback from the Sydney club, who were down 16-nil after as many minutes to claw their way back through sheer energy and class.
The Roosters were given next to no chance of beating the Broncos in the semi-final clash, and coach John Strange said the club adopted that underdog mentality.
“We really fed off that to be honest during the week,” Strange said.
“We spoke at training … that no one gave us a chance.
“It was us in those four walls of the shed that believed (we could win) and that’s all that mattered.”
The Roosters men’s team also congratulated their female counterparts on the semi final win.
“We’ve just landed in Brisbane and seen the result,” halfback Sam Walker said.
“Congratulations on the win and one more to go. Good luck.”
The Roosters’ win was a stunning performance but it’s been the Dragons who have also been the surprise packet this season.
After claiming the 2020 wooden spoon, the Dragons have bounced back to form, coming close to claiming this season’s minor premiership, while their 24-18 win over the Titans will see them through to Sunday’s 2021 NRLW grand final.
Led by skipper Kezie Apps and rookie halfback Rachael Pearson, the Red V have proved to be the best defensive team in the competition.
Their defensive resolve will be put to the test though against a rejuvenated Roosters side, boasting strike power right across the park.
Apps admitted there was still room for improvement from the Dragons side ahead of Sunday’s premiership decider.
“We need to go up another level, we make it hard for ourselves,” Apps said after their semi final win.
It was a disappointing afternoon for both Queensland teams on Sunday, with the Titans and Broncos going down by a converted try margin in their respective games.
Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw admitted it was tough loss but was already looking forward to the 2022 season to kick off later this year.
“We’re a really close-knit group and yes, it’s going to be disheartening but we’ll overcome this,” Brigginshaw said.
BRONCOS DYNASTY OVER AS FOUR-PEAT DREAMS CRUSHED
- David Gavin
The Sydney Roosters have produced perhaps the greatest upset in NRLW history by defeating the all-conquering, red-hot favourite Brisbane Broncos in the second semi-final on Sunday.
The Broncos shot out to a 16-0 lead inside the first 16 minutes at Leichhardt Oval only to be hauled in by the Roosters, who scored 22 unanswered points to storm past the three-time champions.
Before Sunday, the Broncos had lost just two games in the four-season of the NRLW, with the most recent coming a couple of weeks ago against the Gold Coast Titans.
It was the Roosters’ first defeat of the Broncos in the NRLW, with the Warriors the only other side to post a win against them.
In different ways, the dynamic Roosters centre pairing of Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly were brave and brilliant, adding to the impetus provided by the forward pack that laid the platform.
Adding to the depth of the upset was the result of their round one meeting, which saw the Broncos home 20-4. In a further twist of fate, the Roosters needed the Broncos to defeat Parramatta by 16 or more last week to qualify for the finals’ series.
It’s a favour the Broncos now wish they hadn’t granted despite the 38-4 win over Parramatta.
“We really fed off that (underdog tag) during the week,” said Roosters coach John Strange post-match.
“We spoke at training that no one gave us a chance and it was us and those four walls that believed. And that’s all that mattered.
Captain Corban Baxter. added: “It feels amazing … I had a chat with the girls before we went out today and it was about creating history today.”
A mistake from winger Emily Bass deep inside her own half early in the second half was a clear signal all was not going to script for Brisbane. Then when 20-year-old rookie forward Keilee Joseph carried defenders over the line with less than 20 minutes to go, scores were tied at 16-16 and all the momentum was with the Roosters.
The panic button was firmly hit when bench player Jocelyn Kelleher forced her way over the line. A Tarry Aiken kick out on the full with less than five remaining confirmed the horror show.
The Roosters had won just two matches all season to qualify for the semis and have now qualified for their third NRLW Grand Final.
SERGIS BRAVE, KELLY BRILLIANT
Returning from injury, centre Jess Sergis performed a crucial second one-on-one steal in the closing minutes on second rower Kaitlyn Phillips that ultimately sealed it.
The 24-year-old NSW Origin representative and 2019 Golden Boot winner was in a moon boot just two weeks ago but will now get the opportunity to tick off an NRLW premiership next Sunday in Redcliffe.
She finished with 79 run metres and 15 tackles in her return match, but nothing could match her centre partner, Isabelle Kelly, who ran for 142 metres, made 17 tackles and scored a vital first half try to open the Roosters’ account.
Only Broncos enforcer up front Millie Boyle could better that with 177 run metres.
UPTON MAKES QUIET RETURN
Fullback Tamika Upton returned to the starting line-up after a bout of Covid but failed to make the impact normally expected of her.
The 25-year-old had not played since round three after suffering a head knock and then being forced into isolation due to Covid.
The Roosters made a special effort to keep the prodiguously talented fullback quiet.
“We talked about Tamika and how we wanted to shut her down. We know how dangerous she is at the back,” Strange said.
DISPUTED TRY COSTS BRONCS
Broncos coach Kelvin Wright was none too pleased with Keilee Joseph’s try late in the match being awarded.
Joseph landed short of the line but it was ruled that momentum had taken the ball across the paint.
“I think it was a no try. They looked at it that many times ... from what I was looking at, it looked like it was short of the line,” Wright said.
“They might have had different angles, but I didn’t think it was a try.
“I just feel like we never seem to get those 50/50 calls that go our way .. we’ve always used that as motivation, (but we could not keep up that energy today).”
WHAT BENEFIT FOR MINOR PREMIERSHIP?
Minor premierships normally earn a team home ground adavantage in semis, but not for the Broncos this weekend, such was the scheduling.
And Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw left her frustrations felt post match.
“The one thing that is hard to take on board is that you win a minor premiership, but you play in Sydney, with their home supporters. Where is that advantage in winning a minor premiership?”, the Origin halfback questioned.
“We come down here and our family come down, and they have a whole hill of supporters. It’s not the reason we lost, but where’s the benefit to winning a minor premiership?
“I’d like to see that changed for the second season (this year)”
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Originally published as 2022 NRLW Grand Final: Team news, Roosters star Sarah Togatuki cleared to play
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