Roosters call out Broncos after Simaima Taufa targeted in tackles
ROOSTERS captain Simaima Taufa had her injured knee targeted by Broncos players during their NRLW clash, with opposition players calling out for defenders to dive at it.
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BRISBANE have all but secured their spot in the NRLW grand final, but not without questionable tactics on the way.
Roosters captain Simaima Taufa had her injured knee targeted by Broncos players during their 14-4 win at Allianz Stadium, with opposition players calling out for defenders to dive at it.
It was an act the club and players felt wasn’t in the spirit of the game. They questioned its necessity given the Broncos were the clear winners and the superior side on the day.
“I sort of expected it, but I just didn’t realise there were some who I consider close friends actually sticking to their word and shooting at my knee,” Taufa said.
“Not taking away anything from them as a team, they won fair and square, but in the spirit of the game, it didn’t feel right that I could hear comments saying shoot at my knee.”
The Roosters started the match strong and looked much improved from their opening-round loss to the Warriors last week.
They crossed the line twice in the first 15 minutes, only to be held up and denied by the video ref.
But the Broncos then opened the scoring in the 21st minute and took control from there.
It was a tough and gritty contest, if at times scrappy, but one the Roosters felt could have remained a battle within the rules.
“It (targeting the knee) was probably a sign of how serious the competition is,” coach Adam Hartigan said.
“I know Maims is pretty hurt by it, considering some of those girls she played against today she considered to be teammates, probably friends.
“This is not because we lost, we just didn’t think (it needed) those sort of tactics.”
The Broncos outscored the Roosters three tries to one and have placed themselves as the team to beat.
Halfback Ali Brigginshaw caught out the Roosters defence with a dummy to open the scoring in the 21st minute, then Maitua Feterika busted through from close distance just before half-time.
A try to Meg Ward seven minutes into the second half sealed the victory, the Roosters’ only points a consolation through centre Isabelle Kelly minutes before full-time.
Kelly is the only Roosters player to have scored in the NRLW with her solo effort against the Warriors last week their only other four-pointer.
She will have a nervous wait from the match review committee after an accidental crusher tackle on opposite centre Ward midway through the second half, although both the Broncos and Roosters felt she wouldn’t have a case to answer.
It was a disappointing first two rounds for the Roosters who were the early favourites for the competition.
They will now prepare for the Sydney showdown against St George Illawarra next week that will be played before the Roosters preliminary final at ANZ Stadium.
Prop Ruan Sims will need an x-ray on a likely broken thumb while Taufa says she will be fit for the final fixture.
“I knew what to expect and that my knee would be a sensitive area where legally they could have a crack at, I braced for that,” she said.
“I’ll be right. I’ll get my body right and be ready to come back next week.”