NRL: Sydney Roosters defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-4 to book place in NRL Grand Final

James Tedesco of the Roosters celebrates winning the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium. Photo / Getty

Sydney Roosters 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs 4

The Sydney Roosters have advanced through to the NRL Grand Final after flooring long time rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a tense clash at Allianz Stadium.

44,380 fans packed out the stands to produce the biggest crowd seen in the venue's history.

A litany of knock-ons from either side dotted the second Preliminary Final, which saw the Rabbitohs try-less.

Despite being down a goal-kicker with Latrell Mitchell suspended, the Roosters were able to hold out and claimed victory.

But it wasn't all flowers and sunshine for the Roosters as million-dollar halfback Cooper Cronk pulled up with an injured shoulder at halftime.

A late hit from Tevita Tatola sent the former Storm star to the deck and put a cloud over his grand final appearance against his old club.

The Roosters' last minute addition of Paul Momirovski, who played just one first grade game prior to Saturday night, was a winner as the 22-year-old plonked down the last try of the match after picking up a wild rebound off a Luke Keary bomb.

Cronk horror after 'cheap shot'

Cooper Cronk sent a shiver down the Roosters' spine as he pulled up with an injured arm during the halftime break. The tricolours halfback couldn't raise his arm to kick the ball, handing it to five-eighth Luke Keary to book into touch instead.

Blake Ferguson redeemed an error-laden first half with a huge effort on the right flank to muscle over for Sydney's second try of the night. Ferguson took over the kicking duties but skewed it wide.

"This could end up in Redfern or Paddington," Phil Gould quipped as he lined up the tough kick.

It got worse for Cronk after he was floored in a late tackle by Tevita Tatola, giving the Roosters a penalty.

"I can't imagine how much pain he'd be in," Andrew Johns said. "That's a terrible cheap shot on Cronk."

"That was deliberate," Phil Gould agreed.