Sydney Roosters break first-round record with 46-4 win over Manly, Penrith Panthers thump Cowboys 46-4

The Roosters and Panthers showed why they are both among the competition favourites this year with dominant wins to kick off their 2021 NRL campaigns.

Penrith did not allow North Queensland to score a single point in their 24-0 victory on Saturday night, while the Roosters scored the biggest first-round win in their 113-year history, against Manly.

James Tedesco sent a startling warning of how good he can be under the NRL’s new rules with a hat-trick of tries in the 46-4 thrashing.

On a history-making day at the SCG where Brett Morris went fourth in the all-time try-scoring lists with his own hat-trick, Tedesco also set up three tries in the dominant display.

But the win was soured by a concussion to captain Jake Friend from a head clash….