The Sydney Roosters went into the game without some of their stars but that had no impact on their performance as they put on a clinic against lacklustre Newcastle Knights.

The Roosters had a road trip up the M1 to face a strong Knights crowd but that did not impact them one bit as they emerged victorious 38-4.

The Roosters opened their try count with Sam Walker throwing a floater that landed on the chest of flying winger Daniel Tupou.

Minutes later, Tupou had his hand in a second try as he batted a ball back to Josh Morris to crash over to put the visitors up by 10 after only 10 minutes.

The Roosters were relentless in attack and also defence as Newcastle struggled to make it out of their own half.

It was only a matter of time for the Roosters to go up 16-0 and it came off a deft left-foot kick by  Sam Walker kick.

Knights back Enari Tuala failed to ground the ball in goal and Angus Crichton was gifted a four-pointer.

Just five minutes later, the Roosters were back at it again.

Matt Ikuvalu crashed over after Brayden Musgrove came up with an error from a Sam Walker kick.

A Morris brother reacted quickest, scooping up the loose ball to pop a beautiful pass on the inside for Ikuvalu.

The scoreline seemed destined to be a cricket score but the Knights aimed up for the next 20 minutes prior to half time.

After 29 minutes, it was an attacking raid down their left edge that saw them score their first points of the match.

Kalyn Ponga threw a bullet-like cut out pass for Musgrove to plant the ball down in the left corner and score his first NRL try.

Despite the try, it was the Roosters with the confidence at the half-time break, leading 20-4.

The points dried up until the 54th minute when the game broke open yet again.

Off the back of some razzle-dazzle from Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, he was able to find Brett Morris.

As Morris coasted down the field, he found Ikuvalu who drew in Ponga to put Sam Walker away.

Despite seemingly struggling with an injury prior to half-time, Walker set up 4 tries and scored 1 himself in a man of the match effort.

Sadly, the focus post-game was not on the Roosters comprehensive win.

It was on the ACL injury to Brett Morris, who, as a veteran player, has potentially played his last game as a result.

He was bought to tears in the dressing shed when his brother sat by his side and consoled him in a touching moment between the twins.

Lindsay Collins also suffered an ACL injury in the game, in what is a further blow to the Roosters outfit in 2021.

NRL News Player of the Game

3. Sam Walker (SYD)

2. Angus Crichton (SYD)

1. Josh Morris (SYD)

Sydney Roosters back-rower Angus Crichton

By ricky

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