Live: Ambush brewing as Tigers build shock lead over Roosters

Kit Laulilii charges it back off the kick off as hard as he can, but he loses the ball as he goes up to play it. Tough start for the young fella.

Roosters on the attack, Losalu nearly plunges over but he’s held up. Fainu runs Nawaqanitawase off the ball on the last and the Roosters get another set.

Savala goes high on the last and Tupou takes a screamer to score! My word, that was a hell of a catch!

That keeps the Roosters in the hunt, Smith’s kick hits the post and it’s 20-4 Tigers. 

Another error from the Roosters, a cold drop from Whyte and the Tigers have a chance to extend their lead. Tell you what, 20-0 would be very hard to run down…..

And they get it! Siona Fainu bashes his way over from close range! Strong effort from the big man, it’s right near the posts as well, Doueihi makes no mistake and it’s 20-0 Tigers! 

Savala drops it cold around halfway, Latu Fainu picks it up and he runs 50 metres to score! Well earned try that, Fainu’s been very handy early.

Kick is good and it’s 14-0 Tigers.

Turuva drops a clearing kick from Savala cold and the Roosters get a full set in the Tigers 20.

Ioelu puts in a grubber on the second tackle and it’s a shocker, Laulilii picks it off and the Tigers work it out. Poor option from the young fella.

Latu Fainua links with Samuela Fainu and he breaks into space! Tigers are on the attack again, Hope puts in a bad grubber on the last but the Roosters get pinged for offside.

Doueihi surges for the line and nearly gets there but Makatoa makes a strong tackle and forces the ball free. Roosters hang on.

Butcher smashes Turuva high and the Tigers are on the attack again. Looked dramatic, but on replay a penalty is sufficient.

They’ll go for two and Doueihi makes no mistake. Tigers lead 8-0.

A six again on the exit set puts the Tigers right back on the attack and Douehih forces a drop out with a nice grubber and a strong tackle on Rodwell. This is good stuff from the joint venture, they’re playing as well as they have in a good while.

They threaten a bit on the next set, but To’a dies with the ball on the last. Rooster ball.

Starford To’a ducks down the blindside on the last, commits three defenders and throws a sensational offload to Charlie Staines and he strolls over!

That’s brilliant from To’a, he’s really got some game. Nice stuff from the Tigers to open the scoring.

Doueihi from touch….and it’s good! Tigers lead 6-0.  

Savala bangs it long and it looks like it’s going dead for sure but the ball sits on it’s point and stays in the field of play! Turuva gets mobbed and it’s a Tiger drop out, the Roosters will have the first chance of the day.

They sweep it left, Nawaqanitawase gets a little bit of space and flicks it to Rodwell and the debutant goes for the line but I think he’s JUST been held up by Turuva.

Smith goes high for Tupou, he bats it back but the Tigers secure the ball and survive the first strike.

The Roosters are honouring their 1975 premiership team, who form a guard of honour as the Tricolours run out.

Tigers kick us off, running right to left.

It was a big win for the Roosters in their season-opener against the Warriors with the Chooks getting up 30-6 on the back of a Taina Naividi hattrick.

Imposing stuff – the Roosters are a very good chance of going back-to-back, Olivia Kernick moving to lock full time has taken an already good team and made them even better.

Billy Smith is out for the Roosters with a minor knee injury so Ethan King replaces him at centre.

For the Tigers, Jack Bird is out so Tony Sukkar starts at second row with Kit Laulilii coming in on the bench.

Hello! Welcome to the live blog of today’s NRL matches, I’m Nick Campton and I’ll be steering you through every step of Roosters-Tigers and Sea Eagles-Rabbitohs, plus anything else of interest from around the rugby league world.

First game kicks off in about ten minutes, let’s get into it!

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