The Sydney Roosters looked like racking up a cricket score in their eventual 38-22 win over the Newcastle Knights, if not for the latter's spirited second half showing. It was a game where the Roosters perhaps showed that their positives and negatives are rolled into one while the Knights could be losing another player forever.
Roosters' strengths force their weaknesses
For the second week running, the Roosters conceded 20-plus points consecutively in a sign that the premiership favourites' strengths may be forcing their weaknesses.
While Newcastle's 22-point second half revival wasn't as concerning as the Bulldogs' 28 consecutive points scored last weekend, the fact the Roosters – the best defensive team in the Telstra Premiership– have slacked off once achieving big leads is a sign of an underlying complacent mindset.
"Some of [their comeback] was from us working overtime. Some of them came through penalties. Then there was the scrum try where we definitely clocked off," coach Trent Robinson examined post-game. "It wasn't our finest 40 minutes, so we need to get better."
Half games aren't treating Newcastle well
In the first half against the Dragons last weekend they scored 20 points while in the second half of this game they scored 22. If only they could combine the two, it would make interim coach Danny Buderus' life a lot easier – especially after the Knights were down 26-0 against the Roosters at half-time.
"It's definitely frustrating. You don't mind a team beating you but when you beat yourself there's nothing worse. When you make a mistake, and make another, the possession rate goes and 26 points is something you're probably going to cop," Buderus said.
"The fighting qualities in the second half I couldn't be more proud of though, that's for sure, but it's too hard to crawl anything back from the scenario [we were in]."
Robinson forgives Tuivasa-Sheck's errors
He may have cost his team two tries with silly errors but the fact fullback Tuivasa-Sheck scored a hattrick and still remained one of the best on the field allowed coach Robinson to forgive his Warriors-bound star.
"He's been outstanding for us all year, he failed to just to get rid of the ball once and catch the ball another which cost us a couple of tries but I'll take them out of [judging his performance]," Robinson said.
"He's delivered week after week for us. So while it was frustrating, I'll accept it."
Knights careers come to a close
With David Fa'alogo's career prematurely coming to a close in recent days after he succumbed to a neck injury – there are now fears that Beau Scott may have played his last game for the club.
Along with Tyler Randell (eye), Scott failed to return after half-time with speculation rife that he may have broken his foot against the Roosters.
Nevertheless, Knights captain Kurt Gidley was happy to hand out a glowing appraisal for the veteran Fa'alogo – who fell two games short of 200 NRL games.
"It was an emotional day Saturday when Dave came in. What he had done in his career was read out, and by hearing how many games he's played, the teams he's represented: New Zealand, Samoa, Exiles. I said to the group that he was a feared player on the field but a lovely bloke off it," Gidley said.
"He's a real good fella Dave and it's sad that he had to end a few games before he would've liked. But what a wonderful career and he should be proud of it."
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for New Zealand's tour?
He may not have played for New Zealand since the 2013 World Cup, but surely the Roosters prop has already done enough to secure a spot in Stephen Kearney's Kiwis squad for their end of season tour to England.
After perhaps playing his best career performance last weekend, Waerea-Hargreaves against Newcastle ran for 91 metres and made 29 tackles – including a memorable hit on Gidley to force a drop out – in a sign he is ready to help further cement New Zealand's dominance.
