The Roosters sent a warning shot to their rivals with a stunning 72-6 thrashing of the Tigers, their biggest loss in club history.
The clash ended in controversy when Tigers skipper James Tamou was sent off for arguing with referee Ben Cummins.
The Tigers’ night started on a sour note when Luke Garner was forced off the field for an HIA, then missed.
Despite the stoppage, the Tigers repelled the Roosters several times. But the Roosters eventually managed to score five tries in 22 minutes, with Fox League’s Michael Ennis summing up their first half performance as “must see”.
The Roosters picked up where they left off in the second half, taking just three minutes to get their sixth try of the night.
They then piled on four more tries before the Tigers finally got on the board through Brent Naden in the final 10 minutes.
“The Tigers have no answers,” Ennis said.
Nat Butcher scored four tries, while fellow back-row Angus Crichton grabbed a brace, but it was Luke Keary’s ball game that stole the show with the star five-eighth setting up four tries before get an early mark.
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79th MINUTE
Roosters mid-season recruit Matt Lodge crossed in the dying seconds of the game.
79th MINUTE
James Tamou was sent off for chatting with the referee.
75TH MINUTE
Nat Butcher had his FOURTH try of the night.
MINUTE 72
The Tigers got a consolation try when Brent Naden intercepted a pass from James Tedesco to run 80 meters to score under the posts.
MINUTE 63
Tupou got his second of the night after the Roosters played the ball down the left wing and the club’s debutant got the finishing pass high.
55TH MINUTE
The Roosters went in again, this time through Daniel Tupou, who broke free after a Luke Keary ball.
52ND MINUTE
Nat Butcher got a hat-trick after Joseph Suaalii took a Luke Keary bomb and passed it to Daniel Tupou who got the ball past Butcher.
47TH MINUTE
Mr. Fix It Roosters’ Drew Hutchison took a hand off Adam Doueihi to score as the moon loomed in the centres.
MINUTE 43
It didn’t take long for the Roosters to get on the board before the half-time break as Connor Watson danced around defenders to score under the posts.
MINUTE 32
The Roosters at this point were just playing the Tigers. Angus Crichton broke through a ball from Luke Keary before passing to James Tedesco to score.
29th MINUTE
And just like Nat Butcher he also got a double, also crossing a Luke Keary ball. To make matters worse for the Tigers, Ken Maumalo left the field with a groin strain.
25th MINUTE
Angus Crichton headed home his second of the night from a Luke Keary through ball.
Fox League’s Michael Ennis said it was “too easy” when Crichton crashed into the Tigers’ “weak” defence.
MINUTE 21
Angus Crichton crashed over after receiving the ball from Victor Radley, who was at dummy half, and raced out of a tackle to score.
11TH MINUTE
Nat Butcher set up a Sam Walker goal in the 11th minute.
PREDICTION OF THE MATCH
The Roosters have hit the ground running and are chasing their sixth straight win when they host the Wests Tigers at the SCG.
It was just six weeks ago that the Roosters were 10th and serious questions were being raised about their premiership credentials.
But a five-game winning streak, including an important win over the Cowboys last week, means the Tricolors are not only in the eight but in batting form at the right time of the year.
The same cannot be said for the Tigers, however, who have slumped to the bottom after winning just one of their last eight games.
However, this win was over one of the top eight, the Broncos, showing they have what it takes to compete on their day.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has made a key change to his side with Oliver Gildart coming in at 17 to make his club debut. He won’t start at center though; instead, Drew Hutchison and Gildart will play from the bench.
The Tigers welcome back veteran winger Ken Maumalo, who pushes Starford To’a into the centers and James Roberts out wide.
TEAMS
the roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 4. Joseph Manu 20. Oliver Gildart 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May. Substitute: 19. Fletcher Baker
tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford Toa 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Famanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12 Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Fonua Pole 15. Austin Dias 16. Thomas Freebairn 17. Alex Seyfarth. Substitute player: 18. Jake Simpkin
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