The Sydney Roosters are one win away from competing for the National rugby League title, after defeating the Penrith Panthers 34-12 in their semi-final match in Sydney.
After winning the wooden spoon last year, the Roosters were too strong for the under-strength Panthers side, which lost three players to injury during the first half of the game.
The Panthers coach, Matthew Elliott, says with so few interchange options left after the first 40 minutes, it was always going to be tough to come from 12-nil down in the second half.
He says the players new they had to lift their individual games, and despite the injured Luke Lewis getting back on the field later in the game, the Roosters were just too strong.
The Roosters will now travel to the Gold Coast to challenge the Titans for a place in the final.
