Manly vs Roosters

Manly have kept their pride intact but points proved the biggest issue as their makeshift NRL side were outgunned 20-10 by the Sydney Roosters.

Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were in control of the game, and it felt like we threatened to open it up at lots of stages," Robinson said. And they did it all against a Manly team playing on the emotion of the most draining weeks possible, in front of a crowd sporting rainbows. After the most dramatic and controversial lead up to a game this season, Manly managed to stay in the game despite seven of their players boycotting their rainbow jersey.

Following a difficult week, an under-strength Manly side tries to break into the top eight at the expense of their opponents, the Sydney Roosters.

The result puts the Roosters two points clear of Manly in the fight for the final spot in the top eight, with a far superior for-and-against. For all the expectations of a Roosters flogging, Trent Robinson's men were outscored 4-2 in the second half as they went tryless against the depleted Sea Eagles following the break. After the most dramatic and controversial lead up to a game this season, Manly managed to stay in the game despite seven of their players boycotting their rainbow jersey.

The round 20 clash has had a build-up like no other but the game itself is finally here. Join us for all the action.

Lapses of discipline didn’t hurt them tonight but in the big games they’re likely to be involved in they may prove costly. The spirit they played with tonight has been first-rate. Once again they are powerful and a constant threat thanks to a long list of impressive attacking players.

All eyes will be on the Sea Eagles as they take to the filed for the first time since the pride jersey controversy that has rocked Australian sport.

Asked whether he felt there was a realistic possibility of a Pride round being introduced, he replied: 'Absolutely. We are the greatest game for all, not just for a select few, but for all. No sooner have the Sea Eagles got a foothold in the game that the Roosters are on the board again. The New South Wales captain weaves and schemes his way past two Manly players before playing a superb grubber kick with his left boot in behind the Sea Eagles defence, a gift Nat Butcher gratefully accepts to score the second try of the game. The Roosters captain looks set to split the Sea Eagles' defence, but Manly players have other ideas and drag him into touch. 'It’s actually not even a Pride jersey which makes it even worse,' the Queensland and Australia star said the On Her Game podcast. After one of the longest and most divisive build-ups to an NRL game in recent memory, it's finally time for rugby league to take centre stage. Lindsay Collins is down after a brutal impact with Morgan Boyle. The Sydney Rooster prop tries to tackle the Manly player but he's knocked back after copping a fierce blow to head as he makes contact with Boyle's arm and forehead. It all comes to nothing, however, as the Sea Eagles can't find a way to crack down the Roosters' defence. The Sea Eagles, however, have a fresh set of six after Paul Momirovski knocks the ball on as he looks to gather Foran's kick. The Roosters winger is held back by Kieran Foran and the visitors have a penalty deep into Manly's territory. Daniel Tupou is away down the left hand side, only for the play to be called back after Luke Keary is adjudged to have passed the ball forward. Play breaks down on the final tackle and as the ball bounces loose, Daly Cherry-Evans channels his inner Socceroo and dribbles past two Roosters players who desperately tried to stop him.

Welcome to our live coverage of NRL's round 20 opener, where the Sea Eagles host the Roosters at Brookvale.

All in all a spirited performance from the Sea Eagles, and not a great trip north of the bridge for the Chooks. Morgan Harper came in to remonstrate and he was sin-binned as well. Egan Butcher was sin-binned for a strange and dirty act, whacking James Segeyaro directly in the head with a swinging arm.