A couple of strong performances from two Roosters highlight an otherwise scrappy 40-18 thrashing of the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
Scoreline not a true indication of the contest
While the Roosters turned attack into points with some glamorous long-range tries, one could argue the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the game – despite the Tricolours racking up 40 points.
The visitors made 21 errors and completed at just over 60 per cent – hardly an impressive statistic and against a tougher opposition could've been made to pay.
However, their big-name players in Mitchell Pearce and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves delivered when it mattered and with a 55 percent possession rate, were always going to finish the stronger side.
"I thought we bounced between some really high-level play with tries to errors and there wasn't any arm wrestle in that game at all," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said post-game.
"We saw stuff early and went for it early and ended up in a low completion rate and tries."
Roosters' dominance over Tigers continues
In one of the more lopsided records in the Telstra Premiership, the Roosters' dominance over the Wests Tigers has continued.
Their 40-18 victory is now the ninth time in a row the Tricolours have scored over 30 points, and have now won 13 of their last 14 clashes against their cross-town rivals.
Mitchell Pearce improved on his 10-try tally with two more four-pointers to now take his individual record out to 12 tries in 15 appearances against the joint venture.
Watson shows utility value
The Roosters suffered an early blow when skipper Jake Friend was heavily concussed in the third minute of the contest, however utility Connor Watson stepped up to the plate with ease in the side's 22-point victory.
On the 21-year-old's side was the fact he had played two 80-minute games in the halves prior to his early call-up into the clash.
Previously, Watson had averaged 15 minutes per game for the Roosters this season.
"I think we can all see he's got a good future in the game but he is still young and developing," Robinson said.
"If he's at our place he will have to bide his time into building a starting position."
Tigers lacking go-forward
While the fundamentals of the game went out the window in the second half, the Wests Tigers forward pack had found it tough going to make any inroads in the opposition.
Besides captain Aaron Woods who consistently cracks over the 100-metre barrier, his teammates around him are struggling in that department.
It was a one-man show again on Sunday with Woods' 152-metre effort well ahead of front-row partner Ava Seumanufagai who was next best with 96 run metres.
Woods was questioned about the forward battle post-game.
"They were pretty good [in the middle] and we just turned over too much ball, especially early on in the tackle count," he said.
"As big boys if you get a lot of good ball sets then you're licking your lips.
"They won the battle today."
Pearce ready to win Origin series
It's been said before throughout his six series of losses, however the focus of Mitchell Pearce is something to be believed.
His two-try effort to go with his first-half try assist has the 28-year-old well set for a date with Queensland in 10 days time.
While Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted he stayed neutral when it came to State of Origin, he believes Pearce was in the best shape of his career to lead the Blues to a series win.
"He definitely is [ready]," Robinson said.
"It's the best I've ever seen him.
"He's clear, confident and sees the game differently now to what he did a year ago.
"He's always been a smart footy guy but has developed in the last year.
"I think we all cheer Pearcey on and there's no doubt if he does [win the series] it will be a positive for him which will be a positive for us."
