The Roosters are one of five teams on 16 points after 14 rounds of competition. Photo / Getty Images
MELBOURNE - The Sydney Roosters edged into the NRL top eight last night by steamrolling the Melbourne Storm.
The Roosters share eighth place with Parramatta, and are part of a logjam of five teams on 16 points - their rankings decided by points differential - headed by fifth-placed South Sydney.
The Storm, unable to accrue any points because of their penalty for salary cap rorting, are bottom of the table.
Rebounding after a dismal performance against the Sharks last round, the Roosters turned in an accomplished display, running in three unanswered first half tries to set up the win and adding four more in the second half.
Young centre Kane Linnett had a debut to remember as he finished with one try, and had a hand in another scored by winger Phil Graham, who grabbed another in the second half.
Powerhouse lock Frank-Paul Nuuausala was also a stand-out, topping the Roosters' tackle count and hit-ups as well as a try in the 75th minute.
Missing Origin stars Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, the young Storm outfit played with enthusiasm but were let down by their finishing, some poor defence and inexperience.
Halfback Luke Kelly, playing his second NRL match, looked at home as cover for the absent Cronk, although he was outplayed by Roosters No 7 Todd Carney, who stepped in for NSW Origin halfback Mitchell Pearce.
Carney had a busy night, including five conversions from seven attempts.
Roosters prop Mose Masoe was first across in the line in the 18th minute when he charged through some flimsy defence for an easy four points.
It was downhill from there.
Melbourne didn't get across the tryline until the 70th minute, through interchange forward Rory Kostjasyn.
But the Sydney side weren't finished, capping off the night with late tries from Nuuausala and winger Sam Perrett.
- AAP
