Ugly Roosters too good for brave Tigers

IT wasn't pretty and at times it was downright ugly but the Sydney Roosters returned to the top four after a comfortable 30-6 victory over the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium tonight.

The match was punctuated with errors from both sides which could be attributed to having last week off, but Roosters coach Trent Robinson in particular won't be happy with his sides 69% completion rate.

Doubles to winger Daniel Tupou and centre Michael Jennings as well as tries to Mitchell Pearce and Boyd Cordner ensured the final margin was greater than perhaps it should have been.

The Roosters were never really threatened over the course of the 80 minutes by a Tigers side missing hooker Robbie Farah and five-eighth Braith Anasta.

Fortunately for the visitors they will welcome Farah back next week and it will be at an opportune time as their attack lacked imagination at times with their only try coming courtesy of a lucky rebound from the boot of Luke Brooks in the 70th minute.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said five-eighth James Maloney played with injections and stated his Origin case "just fine" while prop Sam Moa acknowledged they were far from their best.

"It wasn't our best performance, it was definitely scratchy and we'll be in for some interesting video from the coach during the week," he said.

Winger Daniel Tupou opened the scoring in the 10th minute after Sonny Bill Williams offloaded in the middle of the field for hooker Jake Friend. The busy dummy half knew the ball needed to find its way to the left hand side and with the help of five-eighth James Maloney and Jennings Tupou bustled his way over the top of Kurtis Rowe to score in the corner.

Three tries in ten minutes either side of the halftime break ensured the Roosters kicked out to a comfortable lead before they cruised to the finish line. Michael Jennings scored before and after halftime to extend the home side's lead to an unassailable 20 point margin.

Despite appearing to be in second gear for much of the game further second half tries to Mitchell Pearce and Boyd Cordner ensured the Roosters registered their third successive victory.

They'll have work to do before travelling to Townsville next weekend while the Tigers will head south to tackle the Sharks at Remondis.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 30 Wests Tigers 6
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 16024
Halftime Score: Sydney Roosters 14 Wests Tigers 0

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Sam Moa
2 points - Sonny Bill Williams
1 point - Jake Friend

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (30)
Tries: Daniel Tupou (2), Michael Jennings (2), Boyd Cordner, Mitchell Pearce
Field Goals:
Conversions: James Maloney (3/6)
Penalty Goals:

WESTS TIGERS (6)
Tries: Chris Lawrence
Field Goals:
Conversions: Blake Austin (1/1)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Evening footy fans and welcome to Allianz Stadium for tonight's Round 9 encounter between the Roosters and Tigers. Team news just to hand from the Roosters sheds with Remi Casty and Daniel Mortimer dropping off the six-man bench. The final interchange will include Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Mitchell Aubusson, Isaac Liu and Dylan Napa.

Confirmed changes from the Tigers camp sees Liam Fulton out of the team named on Tuesday with a back injury. Jack Buchanan comes into the team as his replacement.

Fulltime in the Holden Cup and the Tigers have hung on to defeat the Roosters 22-18. First grade is scheduled to kick off at a little after 7.30 with the Roosters running left to right and receiving first use.

1: We're underway!

1: First set successful from the Roosters, but Pearce's kick sails out on the full.

3: Brooks kicks to the corners and RTS goes above the pack to take the mark.

4: Luani's pass to Brooks is ruled forward. Roosters scum on halfway.

5: PENALTY Roosters. Lulia with hands on the ball.

5: Quick hands from the Roosters from SBW and then onto Maloney who knocks on. Tigers scrum.

7: Enterprising play from both sides sees the kick go to Richards who throws the pass back on the inside. SBW picked up possession before he threw the ball away back to Richards who is bundled into touch. Roosters scrum.

10: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Daniel Tupou. Kick to come.
Tupou opens the scoring for the home side in the far corner. It all started on the other side of the field through SBW who threw the pass to Friend. The nifty hooker then noticed numbers on the left and the ball found its way to the winger who steamed over Rowe to score.

11: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
Maloney pulls the conversion to the left.

13: PENALTY Tigers. JWH too slow clearing the ruck.

14: PENALTY Roosters. Mini taken in the air by Lawrence.

16: Good play from the Roosters and SBW again involved. He threw the pass to RTS who threw the ball back inside and SBW knocked on.

17: PENALTY Tigers. JWH again in trouble with the law.

18: Austin knocks on for the Tigers as they pressed the Roosters line. Home side with the scrum.

20: Maloney kicks it dead.

21: Brooks kicks to the corner and RTS knocks on. Tigers scrum 10m from Roosters line.

23: Brooks pass is out in front of Richards on the last and he puts it down. Roosters ball.

24: Lulia goes up to take the intercept but he knocks on. Roosters scrum.

24: Scrappy play from the Roosters and they throw possession away.

29: Pearce forces the error from Brooks. Roosters scrum.

31: Chargedown from the Roosters. Home side on the attack.

31: Liu puts down a simple pass from Maloney.

33: PENALTY Roosters. Markers not square after RTS went straight through the defence off the 20m tap.

34: Pearce throws a pass that wasn't on and the Tigers get the ball back.

35: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Michael Jennings. Kick to come.
Jennings scores a crucial try for the home side on the stroke of halftime. Cordner took the line on to find SBW who put Maloney into the back field. The five-eighth drew Rowe and found Jennings looming up in support to race 40m to score.

37: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney puts the home side out by double figures heading into the break.

38: Maloney kicks in behind the Tigers line after they marched down the field. Akuola knocks on and the Roosters will get another set.

40: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try.

40: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Daniel Tupou. Kick to come.
Tupou scores his second try on the stroke of halftime after a sweeping backline play to the left. Pearce and Maloney combined to put the winger over in the corner.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
Maloney hits the upright from the eastern touchline.

40: Halftime at Allianz and the Roosters are doing it nicely with a 14-0 lead.

41: Second stanza underway!

42: Brooks chases down RTS after Lawrence looked certain to score!

43: Pearce kicks to the corner but the Tigers repel them through Thompson.

44: PENALTY Roosters. Ball stripped.

45: Liu puts it down again.

45: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Michael Jennings. Kick to come.
Jennings extends the home sides lead as he swoops on an errant pass from the Tigers. Forced pass from Akuola sees Rowe put the ball down and Jennings picks up the loose ball to race 40m to score.

47: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney adds the extras.

49: Another error from the Tigers and Paterson puts the ball down. Roosters scrum.

51: Brooks chips to the posts and Lulia puts it down. Roosters scrum.

55: PENALTY Roosters. Tigers offside.

56: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try.

56: No try. Kurtis Rowe comes up with a trysaver on Maloney who looked certain to score. His tackle on the five-eighth forces the ball loose.

57: PENALTY Tigers. Roosters all over the play-the-ball.

57: The Tigers throw the ball away and RTS dives on it.

59: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Boyd Cordner. Kick to come.
Cordner puts his name on the scoresheet after Maloney fired a perfect pass which put Tupou into the clear. He drew the fullback before sending the second-rower on a saloon passage to the tryline.

60: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
Maloney again hits the upright. No goal.

62: Pearce knocks on with the tryline wide open! JWH put SBW into the back-field who draws the fullback and finds Pearce on the inside. The halfback spills his lollies. Tigers scrum.

65: Pat Richards helped from the field and he heads straight up the tunnel after being hit in a solid tackle from Moa.

67: Minichiello knocks on out on the wing after the home side shift right. Tigers scrum.

69: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Tigers try.

69: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Chris Lawrence. Kick to come.
Chris Lawrence puts the Tigers on the board after Brooks' kick rebounds off the Roosters defence. Lawrence then wins the race to the ball to score alongside the posts.

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Blake Austin successful.
Austin adds the extras.

70: PENALTY Tigers. Blake Austin taken out after kicking.

72: Galloway loses the ball as the Tigers pressed the line. Roosters ball.

73: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Mitchell Pearce. Kick to come.
Pearce scores a try for the Roosters to put the result beyond doubt. The halfback put the ball in the air and Minichiello knocked the ball back into the arms of Pearce who stepped out of the cover defence to score.

73: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney adds the extras to give himself 50% for the night.

77: PENALTY Roosters. Minichiello has the ball stolen by Paterson.

78: PENALTY Roosters. Friend catches the markers not square.

78: SBW loses the ball.

80: Minichiello spills his lollies backwards and that will just about do us tonight.

80: Fulltime at Allianz and the Roosters have been far too good for the Tigers, defeating them 30-6.