A James Maloney inspired Sydney Roosters swept away Canberra 26-12 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
NSW winger Daniel Tupou scored three tries for the Roosters, all of them set up by axed Blues playmaker Maloney, who also scored a try and kicked five from five goals.
Three days after his State of Origin debut Tupou put on a polished performance taking every opportunity presented, finishing well for two tries and calling on his trademark leap for a third.
After a slow start to the season, Maloney has found his best form over the past month and his impressive effort would have kept him on NSW coach Laurie Daley’s radar, even if his only chance of a Blues recall would likely come through injury.
Before a crowd of 11,815 for the round 12 clash Tupou crossed first in the ninth minute with Maloney throwing the last pass and the imposing flyer added another in the 19th minute with Maloney again earning the try assist for a 12-0 lead for the home side.
Maloney then stepped his way through the Raiders’ goal line defence in the 34th minute and converted his own try, his third conversion of the night, to give the Roosters an 18-0 halftime lead.
In an error-strewn contest the Roosters added to that lead in the 58th minute when he leapt on to a Maloney crosskick, the tricolours playmaker again converting for the home side to lead 24-0 and the match was all but over.
Jack Wighton crossed in the 66th minute and Paul Vaughan in the 74th, with Jarrod Croker converting both tries for the consolation offering for the Raiders.
An 80th minute Maloney conversion brought the fulltime scoreline to 26-12.
The premiers have now won five of their past six games.