It was a beautiful way for the Sydney Roosters to end their long association with the SCG as they obliterated the Wests Tigers 72-6.
In what was the biggest scoreline at the venue, it was one way traffic from the get-go, as the Tigers are yet again left soul-searching.
There were several records broken or equalled in the match:
- The 72-6 win was the Roosters biggest ever over the Wests Tigers.
- The 72-6 defeat was the heaviest ever for the Wests Tigers in their history.
- Nat Butcher became the first forward to score four tries in a game for the Roosters since 1951.
It took roughly 12 minutes for the two sides to work each other out but the first try eventually came when Nat Butcher scored his first off a Sam Walker grubber.
Victor Radley then found himself at dummy half and passed to Angus Crichton who put on a hit and spin for his first try of the game.
Crichton then scored a more traditional back-rower’s try when he ran a nice line and was put through the gap by Luke Keary’s deft pass.
Keary then found himself on the right side and in a similar vein, with a similar pass, put Butcher over for his second try.
Keary and Crichton then combined for a second time down the left flank with the back-rower making a break and finding James Tedesco on his inside to score.
Connor Watson then did his best twinkle toes impersonation, as some quick feet and bouncy movements saw him carve the Tigers defence to pieces.
A rare try then came for Drew Hutchison who was forced into the centres, as he got on the outside of Adam Doueihi and did what he had to for a try.
Butcher’s third try came when Joseph Sua’ali’i soared through the air, landed, offloaded, and the back-rower eventually weaved his way past several defenders to score.
Daniel Tupou then got in on the act for his first try when Keary took the line on, made the half-break, and Tupou had an easy passage to the line.
Tedesco and new recruit Oliver Gildart then showed slick hands, with Tupou on the receiving end for his second try.
The Tigers did manage to score once, thanks to a Brent Naden intercept try.
Walker and Butcher would then combine for a second time and Butcher’s fourth, a replica of his first try.
Tigers captain James Tamou was then sent off for obvious dissent towards referee Ben Cummins – to which he later apologised for post-match.
The extra man paid dividends as Matt Lodge was able to crash over and score to produce one of the Roosters’ greatest ever wins.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson labelled his side as ruthless and committed for its entirety.
“It was the way that we were going to play tonight that was going to be really key for us and to show what frame of mind we are in and what kind of attitude we have towards playing some tough, ruthless footy,” Robinson said.
Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley seemed dejected and almost conceded abject defeat post-game.
“It is a pretty difficult time at the moment, we just need to stay connected,” Kimmorley said.
“I don’t know whether some people have tapped out because they are going somewhere else next year or they know there are different coaches coming next year.”
NRL News Player of the Match
3. Angus Crichton (SYD)
2. Luke Keary (SYD)
1. Nat Butcher (SYD)
