Sydney Roosters bounced back with a 44-16 win over Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Roosters backline were in fine fettle in their 28-point win against a lowly Raiders side. James Tedesco continued his sparkling form with a pair of tries in the one-sided contest to kick off Super Saturday.
Roosters struck first in the contest in front of a big crowd in the capital. It was a superb line run by Victor Radley who sliced through some soft defence and Sam Walker converted for 6-0.
Next, it was the link up from the Roosters halves. Walker stabbed through a kick which Luke Keary looked to put down. It went to a bunker review and judged that Morgan Smithies impeded the five-eighth and was ruled a penalty try.
Raiders absorbed the early body blows and threw their first punch of the game. It was a high kick that Elliot Whitehead tapped back right to Nick Cotric who went over for 12-6.
The visitors started to get into their rhythm and made it 18-6 before the break. Joey Manu was a nuisance with some strong carries and the centre finished off a backline, fending off a defender.
Coming out of the break, James Tedesco felt just fine. The representative fullback showed off evasive skills to brush off the Raiders defence and slammed it down for a 24-6 Roosters lead.
The Raiders got themselves back in the contest again through their toy scorer. Hudson Young kept his legs pumping and went over for his seventh try of the season to get them back within 14.
Roosters kept them at arms length again with another four-pointer. It was set up from a Tedesco run then they kept it alive before Manu drew in his defender and went over for his second try.
The tri colours were in an attacking mood and kept the scoreboard ticking over. It was shape to the left this time which finished with Joseph Suaalii got himself on the tryscorers list.
They added another long range effort from a Raiders error. Manu and Dom Young exchanged passes to get them upfield then it was a simple pass combination for Angus Crichton to score.
There was some late consolation for the Raiders. Young half Kaeo Weekes went through the line and sliced through to make it 38-16 after Rapana's quick conversion.
The Roosters finished the game off with one final party piece. Radley went through again, linked with Keary before they found a trailing Tedesco to get his second four-pointer.