Sydney Roosters retain NRL title with controversial win over Canberra

James Gordon

Sydney Roosters have become the first team to successfully defend an NRL title for 26 years after claiming a controversial 14-8 win over Canberra in front of a sell-out Grand Final crowd of 82,982 at ANZ Stadium.

Dally M player of the year James Tedesco scored the match-winning try eight minutes from the end, taking advantage of a contentious decision by referee Ben Cummins to change his call to award the Raiders six more tackles.

There was also controversy earlier in the game when retiring scrum-half Cooper Cronk was sent to the sin bin for tackling prop Josh Papalii without the ball.

However, the Roosters kept their defence intact while down to 12 men and went on to clinch a result that gives them the chance to defend the World Club Challenge title they won with victory over Wigan in February.

NRL Canberra Raiders

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