Sydney Roosters recorded a 26-16 win against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on a whistle-happy evening at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.
The Roosters looked much like their usual selves with a comfortable win highlighted by a pair of tries from Daniel Tupou. There was drama with Nathan Brown being sent off in his first tackle while Sea Eagles Toafofoa Sipley went to the sin bin.
This game was a big game for the Sea Eagles who still harboured ambitions of finals football. It was a tight tussle in the opening ten minutes before the Sea Eagles posted first points from the tee to make it 2-0.
From there, the Roosters clicked into gear. Daniel Tupou added to his already club leading tryscoring lead, taking a bomb and touching down in the corner to make it 6-2 for the hosts back on their home turf.
If the first four-pointer was athletic, the next was pure power. Centre Joseph Manu scooped up the ball from dummy-half after a Siua Wong run then barrelled past several Sea Eagles defenders to go over.
The Sea Eagles were sinking without a trace, the closest they went for a try was Lachlan Croker being denied his centurian game. Roosters gave themselves an 18-2 lead at the break when Tupou swept over for his second four-pointer.
Coming out of the break, the Sea Eagles tried to wrestle back momentum but were met by a brick wall. The Roosters defense harkened back to the side which was tipped pre-season to be right in the thick of the Premiership race.
The Roosters delivered the knockout blow from another Sea Eagles error. The ball was flung wide to Billy Smith, who stepped past several defenders before he went over to make it 22-2 which would please Richie Benaud.
Sea Eagles only avenue to find the line was from the boot. Josh Schuster chipped for himself to get their first then he delivered another precise kick for Brad Parker to get himself on the scoresheet.
Roosters kept them at arms length all evening. Another error which led to a scrum. It was a simple backline move which saw Joseph Suaalii cross in the corner which gave him ten points for the game including his three conversions.
There was some late consolation for the Sea Eagles who never got going in this game. This despite a send off to Nathan Brown who just got onto the field. Tolotau Koula brought the margin back to ten with his late score from broken play.