NRL FINALS LIVE: Roosters star returns for sell-out elimination final ...

The Roosters have blown the Sea Eagles off the park at a sold-out Allianz Stadium and lead 26-4 in the second half.

The Sea Eagles were rocked just two tackles into this elimination final with Tolu Koula and Jake Trbojevic both taken from the field after suffering head knocks.

MATCH CENTRE: Roosters v Sea Eagles, scores, stats, video

In one of the most dramatic starts to a game you will ever see, Manly lost two of its key starters inside the opening 30 seconds with Koula knocked out trying to tackle Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

The hero from last week’s win over the Bulldogs was immediately deemed a category one concussion and was ruled out of the contest, with more drama from the following carry when Trbojevic clashed heads with Lindsay Collins.

The workhorse lock stumbled as he got to his feet and was deemed a category two, but he passed his HIA and returned.

The first try came thanks to some silky footwork from fullback James Tedesco who put Victor Radley over and the skipper then scored one himself.

Radley crossed in the 12th minute of his comeback match, just three weeks after fracturing his scapula and then Tedesco slid over out wide in the 32nd minute.

Young halfback Sandon Smith, in just his fourth NRL start, threw a dummy, sliced through and then stepped fullback Tom Trbojevic to score a sensational solo try in the 36th minute.

Out of nowhere, the Sea Eagles have scored after Daly Cherry-Evans put a deft little chip through for big Haumole Olakau’atu to race through and score.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW. CAN’T SEE? CLICK HERE

It’ll be do-or-die when the Roosters host the Sea Eagles in the second elimination final of the weekend at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.

Just 24 hours after the Sharks overcame their finals hoodoo to book a date with Penrith in next week’s preliminary final, the stage is set for these two storeyed clubs to battle it out in Sydney.

For the loser, Saturday’s clash will be the final in a long season while the winner’s season will remain alive for another week.

Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

MORE NRL NEWS

‘MIDDLE OF THE ROAD’: Payten calls on Cowboys to ‘evolve’ after raw admission

PLAYER RATINGS: Sharks half stars as Cowboys skipper gives up costly penalty try

‘EVERYWHERE YOU WENT’: Fitzy takes aim at Hynes critics after win

BRUTAL REVIEW: Silver lining in nightmare season as brutal call sparks new Eels era

Manly overcame the Bulldogs in a finals thriller last week despite star fullback Tom Trbojevic evidently playing significantly hindered with a shoulder injury, but whether an underdone Turbo is enough to beat the Roosters remains to be seen.

Trent Robinson’s side are, of course, missing several stars, including Sam Walker and Brandon Smith, two absences that have dented their once-hopeful premiership chances.

But Victor Radley starts just two weeks after fracturing his scapula which shifts Naufahu Whyte to the bench and Siua Wong drops out of the 17.

Roosters fullback and skipper James Tedesco will bring up his 250th NRL game when he runs his side out tonight in what could be Jared Warera-Hargreaves’ final game in the Tricolours.

These sides share a rich finals history and there can be no doubt the stage is set for that history to be built upon tonight in front of more than 40,000 fans.

The Sea Eagles are 1-17. Tom Trbojevic is again expected to be needled to play with shoulder and knee injuries as he did in the win over the Bulldogs.

TEAMS

ROOSTERS: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Siua Wong 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Victor Radley

SEA EAGLES: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo 20. Toafofoa Sipley