Daly Cherry-Evans Stars in Roosters' Win Over Sharks

Daly Cherry-Evans paid tribute to the Roosters' representative contingent, who backed up from Wednesday night's Origin II and proved the difference in their 27-8 win over Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.

The Sydney Roosters lifted themselves back into the top four with the win, after a rough patch that had yielded three losses from their previous four games.

Daly Cherry-Evans, the former Maroons captain, acknowledged the challenge of backing up from a State of Origin game.

Nawaqanitawase's performance was lauded by Cherry-Evans, who described him as "an amazing athlete".

The Roosters' right winger racked up two tries and 215 metres, only days after his surprise NSW debut.

The win sets the Roosters up for a strong run into the finals, with their representative players proving the difference.

NSW fullback James Tedesco played through a broken nose suffered in a collision with Sione Katoa.

The Sharks' Ronaldo Mulitalo had a try in the final minutes of the opening half, but Nawaqanitawase had the better of their heavyweight match-up.

Daly Cherry-Evans connected with Lindsay Collins en route to the line, as the Maroons prop scored an unlikely try.

The Roosters' utility Connor Watson carved through the middle to help Sam Walker put Billy Smith over.

Nawaqanitawase beat Mulitalo to Daly Cherry-Evans' crossfield kick with 15 minutes to play, scoring a try of his own.

He then skipped past KL Iro for his second try in the last two minutes, sealing the win for the Roosters.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon acknowledged Nawaqanitawase's performance, saying "it's a good footy battle" between him and Mulitalo.

The Roosters will look to build on their win, with Daly Cherry-Evans and their representative players leading the charge.