The Sydney Roosters strengthened their top-four position with a hard-fought 14-6 victory over a severely undermanned Melbourne Storm at Allianz Stadium, but the match was overshadowed by a suspected ruptured Achilles suffered by Storm winger Will Warbrick.
The New Zealand international left the field in tears after collapsing without contact, with teammates gathering to console him before he was taken away on a medicab. Melbourne, already missing several key players through injury, remained competitive and had opportunities to narrow the gap, while a controversial high-tackle penalty against Roosters forward Nat Butcher drew criticism from commentators.
The win keeps the Roosters firmly in the finals race ahead of James Tedesco’s expected return next week, while Melbourne’s playoff hopes continue to fade, with Warbrick unlikely to play again for the club before joining the New Zealand Warriors next season.
