A barnstorming performance from teenager Latrell Mitchell was the shining light in what was a scrappy but resounding victory for the Sydney Roosters over the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Mitchell was at his devastating best in his side's scrappy 40-18 victory in Campbelltown, showing why Blues coach Laurie Daley labelled him an Origin bolter before the start of the series.
If NSW hadn't registered a victory in the opening game of the series, Daley would have found it difficult leaving Mitchell out of the team for game two such is the talent and form of the Roosters back - who set up two tries on Sunday.
"I thought he was really good,"Â Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
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"I thought he was really strong and set his intent on the way that he carried. He was really hard to handle and I thought we could have had some close support on some of his runs. It's hard to replace Daniel Tupou in the way he carries the ball but I thought Latrell set about doing that."
The emphatic scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the Roosters' performance, struggling for rhythm in the absence of skipper Body Cordner and winger Daniel Tupou - which was compounded by an early injury to skipper Jake Friend.
Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce bagged a double in the victory of the Tigers, who fought hard for the first hour before being blown off the park late in the match.
The match marked the return of axed coach Jason Taylor, who is now the Roosters' attacking coach.
Taylor, who before the game shook hands with Tigers staff members who he didn't get the chance to farewell when he was suddenly axed in round three, had only won four of his nine games in charge of the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.
But in his first game back at the venue since his departure, Taylor left with a smile from ear to ear.
"I didn't even ask him this week how he felt," Robinson said.
"Sometimes the perception of JT is very different to the person that you know and we know. He's just been as per this week. No one has even mentioned it. I know it's a good story from the outside but he has just got on with his stuff.
"I don't know if he has had to deal with it himself, but there's been no difference in JT at all this week. There's been no more or less emotion. Â He's really happy in his job and we're really happy with him."
Friend made minimal contribution, coughing up the pill before succumbing to a heavy head knock in the ensuing Tigers set in the opening exchanges.
And the hooker's injury was compounded by a penalty against the Roosters in the same tackle, allowing new Tigers recruit Tuimoala Lolohea to slice through some feeble defence and grab first points.
Unfortunately for the home side it only ignited the Roosters into action, with the tri-colours racking up two tries in as many minutes to take a 10-6 lead despite a shaky start.
When Aidan Guerra crossed for the Roosters' third try of the opening half, it appeared the Tigers were about to be humiliated.
But a fortuitous try to James Tedesco before half time brought the Tigers back into the contest trailing 16-12 at the break.
The Roosters didn't waste any time trying to regain the ascendancy, with a runaway Luke Keary providing for Pearce to score early in the second half.
Guerra and Connor Watson then put the icing on the cake late in the match to send Tigers fans heading for the exit doors after another disappointing outing.
Watson bagged a double in his first real opportunity to show what he can do with some quality game time, replacing Friend in the early exchanges.
"He did a great job," Robinson said.
"We gave him a wrap after the game. He often comes on for five or 10 minute stints and tries to do a lot in that time. I thought his composure was good to run the team for 75 minutes. We've been pretty clear with Connor being in that utility role for us. He just turned 21 ... if he's at our place he's going to have to bide some time in building into a starting position."
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