Wests Tigers

For their part, the Tigers haven't tasted finals since 2011, while the Titans have been there just once in the past six seasons so both clubs are aware something needs to change.

The acquisition of Api Koroisau, David Klemmer, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali'i, coupled with the ongoing development of Fonua Pole and Stefano Utoikamanu gives the Tigers pack a more potent look, but they'll need halves Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks to come to the party if they are to trouble the top sides.

The announcement was made at Wests Tigers official season launch on the waterfront at Iron Cove, where more than 300 VIP guests had the chance to mingle with their team.

The three-time NRL premiership-winner has enjoyed his first few months at his new club and is thrilled to become the team’s leader.

“To be asked to lead this team in my first year at the club, means a lot,” said Koroisau.

"From the moment I joined this club, my family and I have been made to feel so welcome.

The 72-6 defeat of Wests Tigers was the most points scored by a Roosters side since Eastern Suburbs' 87-7 triumph against Canterbury in 1935 and has catapulted the team into sixth position.

The winning margin eclipsed the Roosters' 56-0 triumph against the Tigers in 2004 and lifted Trent Robinson's men ahead of South Sydney and Brisbane into sixth place on for-and-against.

For the Tigers, the defeat eclipsed the club's 64-0 loss against Melbourne in 2001 as their worst defeat and the frustration with the performance led to captain James Tamou being sent off for dissent.

With James Tedesco in supreme form and their forwards doing a mighty job in the middle, the Roosters are looking every bit a serious title contender, but they still have some significant challenges ahead.

Most expect them to roll over the top of the struggling Tigers on Saturday night but the Storm and Rabbitohs will offer far sterner tests in the final two games of the regular season.

The Cronulla forward pack had a field day through the middle, with props Royce Hunt and Braden Hamlin-Uele getting over for tries and Cameron McInnes putting in a huge shift from the interchange, running for 138 metres and making 36 tackles in his 59 minutes on the field. 

Cronulla scored four converted tries and kicked a penalty to lead 26-6 at the break, but while they were in control for most of the match at Scully Park, they never managed to fully shake off their stubborn opponents. 

Through the dramas of the past decade Wests Tigers have never finished last in their 22 seasons as a joint venture but Sunday's loss to the Knights leaves them precariously placed in 15th, just one win ahead of the Titans.

The Sharks, meanwhile, are sitting pretty in third spot and face teams well below them on the ladder in their final four games but coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be taking nothing for granted in the run home.

A lacklustre match between two teams desperately trying to avoid finishing on the bottom of the ladder looked like one-way traffic early before it came to life as the Wests Tigers tried to get back into the game after trailing 14-0.

The Knights took advantage of some flimsy left edge defence from the home side in the first half to run in three tries for a 14-0 lead.

A double to Enari Tuala started proceedings before departing Knight Tex Hoy bounced off Adam Doueihi's tackle attempt to cross for the visitors' third.

Brett Kimmorley's side moved off the bottom of the Telstra Premiership ladder with a much-needed win over the Broncos and now find themselves just two points behind the Novocastrians as they enter the final weeks of the regular season.

Having battled injury and inconsistency all season, the Knights come into Round 21 on the end of a four-game losing streak and searching for answers with the worst attack and defensive record through the first 20 weeks of the season.

With Adam Doueihi playing a leading role with a try and six goals the Tigers secured just their fourth win of the season by stunning the fifth-placed Broncos.

The Tigers opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Brent Naden finished off slick work by Fa'amanu Brown, Jock Madden and Asu Kepaoa to cross in the corner. Doueihi's sideline conversion made it 6-0 to the visitors.

Midway through the half the Broncos hit back when Tesi Niu showed some dazzling footwork to stand up Kepaoa and grab his third try of the season.

On an afternoon where both clubs played for the inaugural Royce Simmons Cup, the former Panthers and Wests Tigers legend was in attendance with future Tigers coach Tim Sheens to show off the new silverware. 

The new trophy appeared to be going into the hands of the joint venture after they grabbed the lead through Ken Maumalo with 12 minutes remaining before a Scott Sorensen line break late set the defending premiers up to score late.