Sin bins, reports mar Sydney Roosters’ big win over the Broncos

On a night dominated by the referee’s whistle, the Roosters have upset the Broncos in an epic boilover at Suncorp Stadium.

The Roosters have upset the Broncos 26-16 with Billy Smith starring in the centres and James Tedesco outpointing Reece Walsh in an epic boilover at Suncorp Stadium.

Smith scored a double and ran for 97 metres, despite spending 10 minutes in the sin bin, while Connor Watson was all class with two try assists and a team high 35 tackles.

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But it was skipper Tedesco who ran for a game high 202 metres to go with a linebreak and a try assist to outplay a gallant Walsh, who had a try assist and a try in his 118 metre effort.

In a bruising, at times scrappy encounter, Broncos prop Pat Carrigan was pinged for a high tackle on Salesi Foketi as the Roosters took an early 2-0 lead.

Billy Smith leapt high to come down with a towering Sandon Smith bomb to score and extend the Roosters’ lead.

Watch Angus Crichton’s high shot on Adam Reynolds above

The Roosters celebrate a try at Suncorp Stadium. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Smith was sin-binned for a high shot on Reece Walsh amid the NRL’s tough stance on high tackles.

Selwyn Cobbo produced a stunning intercept of Smith’s pass to race 40 metres and score his fifth try of the season.

Adam Reynolds put Jaiyden Hunt through a hole with a double pump, who found Cory Paix and he put Walsh over under the posts as the Broncos took the lead.

However, Jack Gosiewski was sin-binned for a high tackle on Victor Radley, which changed the course of the game.

Reece Walsh cops one of many high shots on the night.

Angus Crichton was placed on report for leading with the forearm on Reynolds as the Broncos extended their lead through the boot of Walsh.

Smith returned from the sin bin to pounce on a kick from Tedesco and dot down just before the dead ball line as the Roosters took the lead.

Kotoni Staggs was placed on report for high contact on Sandon Smith, which sparked Spencer Leniu and Reynolds to enter a melee.

Then Watson hit the turbo button and burst out of dummy half to set up Crichton for a crash over try as the Roosters extended their lead to 20-12 at the break.

Payne Haas and Walsh put Jesse Arthars over as he went back to the top of the NRL tryscorers list with eight and cut the Roosters’ lead.

Watson was placed on report for a tackle that appeared to see a head clash with Arthars and caused the Broncos star to come off for a HIA, which was ruled a category one concussion.

Watson then turned provider for Nat Butcher to charge over next to the posts and give the Roosters a 10-point lead with 14 minutes to play.

The Broncos had their chances late, but the Roosters held on for a famous upset victory.

SMITH SHINES DESPITE SIN BIN

Billy Smith has been one of the most unlucky players in rugby league in recent season in terms of injuries, but he made up for lost time against the Broncos.

Smith finished with 97 run metres from 12 runs to go with three tackle busts, an offload, a linebreak, 17 tackles and two brilliant tries.

The Roosters will be sweating on his high tackle sin bin on Walsh, but if he is not suspended, he will make it very difficult for Mark Nawaqanitawase to get back in the team next week.

Billy Smith is sent to the bin. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

TEDESCO OUTPOINTS WALSH IN EPIC DUEL

In a replay of State of Origin battles in recent years, James Tedesco and Reece Walsh did their best to get their teams over the line, but it was the Roosters skipper who got the chocolates.

Tedesco finished with 202 run metres from 19 runs, a whopping 10 tackle busts, a linebreak, a linebreak assist and a try assist in real captain’s knock.

Walsh was in everything for the Broncos with 118 run metres, two linebreak assists, a try assist and a try, but it wasn’t enough to get the hosts home.

Walsh had his moments but was outpointed by Tedesco. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

WATSON SHINES IN BATTLE OF DUMMY HALVES

Cory Paix has been one of the form rake’s in the NRL this season, but it was his opposite Connor Watson that inspired his side to an upset victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Paix was kept quiet with 15 run metres form just three runs and 24 tackles, but Watson took the game by the scruff of the neck in a couple of key moments.

Watson finished with 49 run metres, three tackle busts, a team high 35 tackles, two linebreak assists and two crucial try assists for Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher to get the Roosters home in a thriller.

Originally published as Sin bins, reports mar Sydney Roosters’ big win over the Broncos