Sunday 31 July 2016 12:40, UK
The Canberra Raiders climbed to third spot in the NRL with a 54-4 demolition of hapless South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday.
Ricky Stuart's Raiders crossed for 10 tries for their fifth consecutive win, moving above defending champions North Queensland and consolidating a top-four position in the competition standings.
The contest was over by half-time with the Raiders opening up a lead of 26-0 over the dispirited Rabbitohs. They went on to post their biggest-ever win over Souths, surpassing their 48-0 victory in 1990.
"It's disappointing to let in that many points," said Rabbitohs skipper Sam Burgess, who could face a suspension for a possible shoulder charge on Luke Bateman.
"I can't remember the last time that happened at Souths; I might not have been part of this club.
"I'm a little bit confused with how we could let that many points in.
"We've got to get better and we've got responsibilities as a professional athlete. We're just not doing it at the moment.
"There are a number of things that contribute to today's performance. We've just got to get better. We've got to improve."
Melbourne joined the Cronulla Sharks at the top of the standings after downing the North Queensland Cowboys 16-8 in Townsville on Saturday.
North Queensland were without their inspirational Test playmaker Johnathan Thurston. The Storm have now opened up an eight-point lead over the fourth-placed Cowboys heading into the business end of the season.
Storm's Test scrum-half Cooper Cronk was the difference, setting up two of his side's three tries.
The Cronulla Sharks will regain their competition lead if they beat the Gold Coast Titans on Monday.
Canterbury are in fifth place after holding off St George Illawarra 13-10 on Friday, despite being held scoreless in the second half.
New Zealand Test scrum-half Shaun Johnson lifted the Warriors to a golden-point 20-16 win over Penrith in Auckland to move into the top eight positions.
Johnson scored beside the goal-posts with a minute of extra time remaining after shaping to attempt a drop goal.
It was a change in fortunes for the Warriors, who had lost three of their previous four games after the 80 minutes were up.
Easy-beats Newcastle equalled a club-record 13 straight defeats with their 16-36 loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval.
Under coach Nathan Brown, the Knights have posted just one win in 19 games this season.
