A Herculean defensive display from the Sydney Roosters laid the foundation for an 8-0 win over Brisbane in Saturday’s NRL clash at Allianz Stadium.

James Maloney scored all of the points, running in for the only try of the game on the half-hour mark and then kicking a penalty goal midway through the second period.

It was a night of frustration for the visitors which will be a huge concern for coach Anthony Griffin, who watched his side dominate possession in the second half but fail to trouble the scorers.

Trent Robinson’s side were truly heroic in front of their own goalline, keeping their line intact brilliantly.

At one stage, they held firm for seven successive sets of six as the Broncos took residency inside their 20-metre line – only to come up short on every occasion.

With Justin Hodges sidelined through injury, the Broncos looked bereft of genuine scoring options as halves Scott Prince and Peter Wallace failed to spark their side.

For the Roosters, Sonny Bill Williams had his best game since returning to the NRL, clocking up 36 tackles and more than 100 metres.

But he was not alone. Martin Kennedy, Jake Friend and Sam Moa were also magnificent in front of a crowd of 13,047.

Attacks were few and far between for the hosts, with Daniel Tupou squandering a glorious opportunity after failing to capitalise on a superb break from the fleet-footed Michael Jennings.

But it mattered not as the tricolours held firm to seal a successive victory and record a first shut-out since 2008 when they beat St George Illawarra 10-0.