NRL LIVE updates: Broncos within six of Roosters after Walsh engineers huge comeback

This is an incredible turnaround. The Broncos go on the attack again, Reece Walsh takes it to the line and pops a late pass for Jordan Riki who goes past Sam Walker and Hugo Savala to score.

That’s 24 straight points for Brisbane now after they trailed 30-0, and after they lost their star halfback Adam Reynolds.

Bench playmaker Thomas Duffy kicks the goal and it’s suddenly a six-point ball game.

Roosters 30, Broncos 24 with 13 minutes left

Consolation try or the start of a comeback? Broncos young gun Xavier Willison, who has been playing in the middle in recent weeks but started on an edge in the second row tonight, crashes over for a try and the Broncos are getting a little closer.

And then, from the following set, they go the length of the field – Kotoni Staggs breaks through the defence, Josiah Karapani, almost scores, then Pat Carrigan crashes over the next play. Sensational stuff.

Roosters 30, Broncos 18 with 18 minutes left

Reece Walsh is getting increasingly involved for the Broncos – he needs to now with Adam Reynolds off the field – and in the end he goes himself from close range out of dummy half and scores the visitors’ first try of the night. It comes after a Daniel Tupou knock on, and a set restart, with the Roosters on the back foot for probably the first time in the game.

It’s almost certainly too little, too late, but the Broncos did make a habit of pulling off stunning upsets last year so you never say never.

Roosters 30, Broncos 6 with 28 minutes left

It’s a category 1 head knock for Adam Reynolds, so he’s out for the night – and probably next week – while Deine Mariner is also out with a cork. The Roosters have already lost Lindsay Collins (failed HIA) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (ankle) for the evening.

But the Tricolours are getting into Harlem Globetrotters mode now, James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou creating a line break down the left. Tupou throws a one-handed pass inside for Hugo Savala, who tries to weave past Reece Walsh and dive for the corner, but Walsh has a great effort in trying to tackle Savala over the sideline.

The on-field referee says no-try, the bunker is looking at it, and it’s not really clear either way so the referee’s verdict of a knock-on stands. Bit of a bombed try that, but great work from Walsh.

Roosters 30, Broncos 0 with 33 minutes left

OK we’re back for the second half, with the Roosters kicking off and Brisbane facing a long trip back to make this game competitive.

They keep things simple in their first set of the game, while the Roosters immediately chance their arm with Daniel Tupou passing to James Tedesco – and once again the Tricolours end their set inside Brisbane’s half with Sam Walker putting up a bomb.

It leads to an escort penalty against Gehamat Shibasaki, the Roosters get another set, and Nat Butcher crashes over between the posts. Adding injury to insult, Adam Reynolds is left on the turf after getting caught in an awkward position under the tackle of Naufahu Whyte. Reynolds leaves the field. It’s all bad news for Brisbane right now.

Roosters 30, Broncos 0 with 36 minutes left

I mentioned this Cody Ramsey story earlier, but if you’ve got a bit of time on your hands at half-time give it a read. It’s one of the more remarkable NRL comeback stories in recent times.

From Adrian Proszenko:

Before Cody Ramsey accepted an opportunity to learn from – and potentially replace – James Tedesco at the Roosters, his rugby league comeback had exceeded expectations.

The main doctor who treated Ramsey for ulcerative colitis – a potentially life-threatening condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract – declared his footballing career was over. The fullback overcame that prognosis and ended an 896-day sabbatical by captaining St George Illawarra’s NSW Cup team in last season’s grand final.

The Roosters attack in the final minute of the half and it looks like Brisbane have them covered, the defence swarming up as Connor Watson attempts to kick a grubber in behind. The ball crashes into the legs of Brisbane defenders, but pops up behind Watson – and into the arms of Sam Walker, who has a free run to the line and touches down behind the goal posts.

That last try had a lot of fortune in it but the home side has been excellent tonight, their big men dominating through the middle against a Broncos pack badly missing the impact of Payne Haas. James Tedesco has been in everything as well.

Roosters lead 24-0 at half-time