The Cronulla Sharks were soundly beaten 42-16 by a depleted yet spirited Roosters side at Industree Group Stadium.
Missing several State of Origin stars, the Roosters surged to an early 14-0 lead, fuelled by a Daniel Tupou double and buoyed by milestone man Victor Radley’s 150th game.
Despite a brief rally from the Sharks through Cam McInnes and later tries to KL Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo, defensive lapses and handling errors proved costly.
Roosters fullback James Tedesco dazzled with a flick pass assist, and debutants Hugo Savala and Xavier Va’a made their mark as the Roosters sealed a dominant win.
