It was perhaps not the result fans were expecting, but it has left Roosters fans on top of the world and Eels fans in the doldrums, as the Sydney Roosters chalked up a record 50-0 win over the Parramatta Eels at Allianz Stadium.
With their new boys in Sonny Bill Williams and James Maloney hitting their straps, the points were piled on early and fast, as the Eels had no answer for the rampant Roosters, who will be a force in 2013.
It was winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who finished the game with the most tries, scoring the first three tries of his career, all in the one game – tonight’s game.
With poor ball-control, sloppy completion rates, a poor attitude and silly penalties, Ricky Stuart had no excuses for his side’s loss, admitting that his side were simply out-classed and dominated by their opponents.
“You can’t sweeten up a bitter pill,” he said.
“There was a lot of effort in the first half. They tried their hearts out until the end but they just weren’t good enough.
“They outclassed us, outplayed us and were too good for us. They’re a very, very good football team and they were on tonight.”
For Robinson, he said that the nine-day turnaround for his side helped with their preparation for the clash and knew they could win, but not by that much.
“I was confident we could win, but I didn’t think it would be by that much, and you can never be sure if you can back up a good defensive performance with another one,” Robinson said.
“Going from a Saturday to a Monday allows time to work on combos and we spent a day on it and that’s why our attack was a lot better tonight. It was nice to see.”
It was the decision to move Williams to the right edge that paid off, with the back-rower proving a handful all night for the Eels defence.
“He’s a natural right-sided player, he feels more comfortable there and the carries, the passes and the offloads came off,” he said.
“You can’t coach what he’s got and it came out a few times tonight.”
3. Sonny Bill Williams
2. James Maloney
1. Mitchell Pearce