Roosters post 30-22 trial win over Eels
Saturday March 3, 10:17 PM
AAP
Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta have both made promising returns from injury to lead the Sydney Roosters to a 30-22 win over Parramatta in an NRL trial at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.
The Roosters led 16-6 at halftime and managed to stave off an Eels fightback in the second stanza before scoring two unanswered tries in the final 10 minutes to claim the win.
The game marked the return of injured stars Minichiello and Anasta, who were both impressive in the win.
Anasta scored a try and combined with Minichiello to score another.
Anasta missed the final five games of the last season after groin surgery, while Minichiello had not played a game since last April after undergoing back surgery.
The former Australian fullback was solid in all aspects of play before being replaced in the second half.
The Roosters overcame the 14th minute sin-binning of captain Craig Fitzgibbon to lead 16-6 at the half.
Parramatta stormed back into the contest in a second half that saw the lead change four times.
The Eels led 22-18 in the 65th minute through a try to rookie Krisnan Inu, before Australian Test forward Anthony Tupou scored a spectacular try and set up another to seal the win for the Roosters.
