The in-form Sydney Roosters have produced their most intimidating performance of the season to close in on an NRL top-eight finish while consigning Wests Tigers to a record-breaking 72-6 loss at the SCG.
In the Roosters’ last game at the SCG before a return to the Sydney Football Stadium, they scored the biggest-ever win at the historic ground as the Tigers suffered their worst defeat in 23 seasons as a joint venture.
The loss crippled the Tigers’ already dismal points differential and all but confirms they will need to win again this season to avoid their first wooden spoon.
It also reiterated just how difficult a task Tim Sheens and his new-look coaching staff will have in turning the struggling club around.
The bad news didn’t end there for the Tigers either, captain James Tamou was sent off late for calling referee Ben Cummins “f****** incompetent” and appears unlikely to play again this season.
The sixth-placed Roosters must win one of their last two games to guarantee themselves a finals berth but could still qualify with losses to Melbourne and South Sydney if other results fall their way.
After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, the Roosters were never challenged by the Tigers, who did not have the defensive steel to stifle the home side’s edges nor the firepower to strike back once the onslaught began.
On the cusp of signing a new deal with the Roosters, second-rower Angus Crichton barged over for two tries in four minutes during the first half.
Both came directly after poor kicks from Tigers halves Jock Madden and Adam Doueihi, who struggled all night to boot the visitors out of trouble.
Crichton’s second-row counterpart Nat Butcher had a career-best night, scoring more tries in 80 minutes than he did in the 2021 and 2020 seasons combined.
He crossed four times, opening the scoring in the 11th minute before completing his haul in the 75th minute as part of a 12-try romp.
The Tigers’ defence through the middle was just as brittle and could not contain James Tedesco and Victor Radley, who played with alarming ease.
Once they did have the ball, the Tigers were short of answers and losing Luke Garner (concussion), Ken Maumalo (groin) and Alex Seyfarth (shoulder) did them no favours.
Their only try came from a Brent Naden intercept with seven minutes to play
Victor Radley was reported for entering a tackle on Joe Ofahengaue late but appears unlikely to face time on the sidelines.
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