Sydney Roosters clinched the NRL minor premiership with a convincing 44-10 triumph over Parramatta Eels last night.
The Roosters headed into their final match of the regular season needing to win by 27 points or more to unseat the table-topping Melbourne Storm.
However, Vodafone Fiji Bati-star Jarryd Hayne scored an opening try for Parramatta Eels but it was not good enough to match up the Rosters score margin.
Sports Max reports, the Roosters’ first finals opponent will be decided today, with Cronulla Sharks currently occupying fourth spot ahead of their clash with Canterbury Bulldogs.
Looking at other results, Dragons beat Knights 24-14 while Cowboys defeated Titans 30-26.
Six of the top eight have played their last games of the regular season, so the fate of the finals-bound teams has already become much clearer.
The Storm were upset by the Panthers and the Roosters flogged the Eels to steal the minor premiership.
The Storm result was of great importance to the Panthers, who have all but sewn up a home elimination final.
The Dragons have one hand on a home elimination final after their win over the Knights, but if the Broncos beat the Sea Eagles by 24 points or more, they will jump the Red to fifth place.
The Sharks, who play the Bulldogs this afternoon, will need to be beaten by 28 points to drop out of the top four and look certain to meet the Storm in the first week of the finals.
NRL live ladder
1. Roosters 34 – differential: +181
2. Storm 34 – differential: +173
3. Rabbitohs 34 -differential: +145
4. Sharks 32 – differential: +84
5. Panthers 32 – differential: +56
6. Dragons 32 – differential: +47
7. Warriors 32 – differential: +25
8. Broncos 30 – differential: +24
9. Tigers 26 – differential: -83
10. Raiders 22 – differential: +23
11. Knights 20 – differential: -193
12. Bulldogs 18 – differential: -34
13. Cowboys 18 – differential: -72
14. Titans 18 – differential: -110
15. Sea Eagles 16 – differential: -90
16. Eels 14 – differential: -176
