Sydney Roosters 36 Wigan Warriors 14 match report: Wigan errors allow Michael Jennings to rule the roost

League of their own: Daniel Mortimer lifts the trophy after Sydney’s win

Michael Jennings became the first player to score a hat-trick of tries in rugby league's World Club Challenge as Sydney dismantled Wigan in ruthless fashion yesterday.

The NRL champions were vastly superior against an error-strewn Warriors side, running in a total of six tries in front of 31,515 fans.

The Super League champions, who were hoping to repeat their famous win over Brisbane Broncos in 1994, never recovered from conceding three tries in the first 22 minutes, even though Josh Charnley did respond with two tries on his 100th appearance. Joe Burgess was also on the scoresheet.

Wigan flew to Sydney a fortnight ago to prepare for this match but they were still slow out of the blocks. Jennings, the Australia Test centre, handed off Charnley to open the scoring after only two minutes before Sam Moa took a short pass from Jake Friend to crash over 10 minutes later. Matty Bowen then failed to deal with Friend's kick and Jennings followed up for his second try, with James Maloney kicking the first of his six goals to make it 18-0.

Wigan hit back after the break with Burgess claiming his 12th try in five matches but then a stray pass was seized on by Jennings, who completed his hat-trick.

With the outcome in little doubt, Wigan produced their best spell and were rewarded with two tries in nine minutes from Charnley.

But the Roosters still finished in the ascendancy. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves plunged over on 66 minutes and, shortly after, Shaun Kenny-Dowall finished in the corner.

Sydney Minichiello; Tupou, Jennings, M. Aubusson, Kenny-Dowall; Maloney, Pearce; Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Moa, Cordner, Williams, Nuuasala. Substitutes used Mortimer, Guerra, Napa, Casty.

Wigan Bowen; Charnley, Goulding, Sarginson, Burgess; Green, Smith; Flower, McIlorum, Dudson, Hughes, Farrell, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used Taylor, Pettybourne, Crosby, Bateman.

Referees B Cummins and G Sutton.