The Sydney Roosters have put themselves into contention for the NRL top 8 with a 64-12 win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
It was an intense start to the game as both sides came together in the first few minutes showing how much was on the line. The Roosters opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Mark Nawaqanitawase went over outjumping the Dolphins defence.
The heat continued to grow as players again come together with a warning to cool it down not really heeded by either team and as Mark Nawaqanitawase went over for his second, a baiting Spencer Leniu got under the skin of the Dolphins and it erupted yet again.
Both sides ended up with 11 as Francis Molo, Aublix Tawha for the Dolphins as well as Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte all given a chance to calm down after referee Gerard Sutton sent all four to the sin bin. It flared up again when Siua Wong was knocked out in a collision that was deemed to be a head clash despite looking like a shoulder charge.
The Dolphins took advantage of the shortened numbers as Tevita Naufahu scored in the corner for the hosts as they hit back.
For the hosts, it looked like they burnt their candle out inside that first fifteen minutes because from that point they had absolutely nothing in attack or defence. The Roosters went on a try scoring spree as Billy Smith scored, then was followed by Victor Radley, Hugo Savala and then Spencer Leniu put a stamp on the game when he scored on the stroke of halftime. Sam Walker's radar was on-song as he converted all six tries for a 36-6 lead.
Things didn't improve early in the second half for the hosts, as ill-discipline even somewhat unluckily forced them into defence as James Tedesco put two tries on in quick succession and the Roosters very quickly moved the lead to 48-6.
The Dolphins got a rare penalty and rare field position but couldn't get through the Roosters defence as errors continued to cost them dearly. The defensive struggles hurt the Dolphins when Mark Nawaqanitawase got his third after the hosts let the Roosters winger catch the ball and then stood off waiting for him to pass as he strolled through.
More errors hurt the Dolphins when they did get a chance with the ball they turned it over and Daniel Tupou got a double, when Tedesco and Walker made magic together before the Roosters half found Tupou unmarked outside. The second try for Tupou was easy as the Dolphins couldn't number up. Walker's kicking perfect kicking streak ended with Tupou's second as he hit the post.
A late try for the Dolphins put a very tiny piece of respectability into the scoreboard but it was an annihilation from the Roosters in their 64-12 win.
The Dolphins will have a nervous wait for the MRC to put out the charge sheet with a few players set to face punishment ahead of their game against the Broncos whilst Roosters will be confident with a clash against the Bulldogs.