Former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase scored his seventh try in two games as the Roosters pummelled the Rabbitohs 36-6 at Allianz Stadium on Friday night to book their spot in the finals.
Trent Robinson’s men only led 10-6 at half-time but the floodgates opened after South Sydney halfback Jamie Humphreys was sent to the sin bin in the 41st minute for an ugly hip-drop tackle on Roosters back-rower Siua Wong.
The Tricolours piled on two converted tries during Humphreys’ time off the field, scoring through Daniel Tupou and Connor Watson, the latter of whom was playing his 100th game in Roosters colours.
The going was so one-sided when Humphreys was off the field that the Watson try was scored in the first set after a kick-off, with James Tedesco and Robert Toia pulling apart South Sydney’s left edge before Watson finished off the play on the inside.
Nawaqanitawase completed a hat-trick once Humphreys was back on the field, before a rampant Tricolours outfit added another try through Angus Crichton.
The Roosters went from leading 10-6 to leading 36-6 in only 26 minutes.
The Tricolours will finish the regular season in eighth place on the ladder, meaning they are set to face the Sharks in an elimination final next week.
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From left to right: Connor Watson, Sam Walker, Mark Nawaqanitawase and James Tedesco celebrate a try during the Roosters’ rout of the Rabbitohs. Getty
Storm legend Billy Slater made an ominous assessment of the Roosters on Nine’s post-match coverage.
“They’re all in sync at the moment … They are in sync without the football, as well, and that’s probably the most important thing going into the big games coming up,” Slater said.
“So they’re right in this finals race, they’re right in the premiership race, and they’re as dangerous as any team in the finals series.”
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