Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was left feeling "embarrassed" after watching his side thrashed 60-8 by Alex Johnston-inspired arch-rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs in Friday's NRL action, while the Gold Coast Titans swept aside the Newcastle Knights 36-6.

The Roosters went into the match third and four places ahead of the Rabbitohs in the table for the final round of the regular season, but they found themselves on the end of a historic battering.

The Bunnies claimed their biggest-ever win over the Roosters to make sure of a home match in the elimination finals, while the omens are not great for the latter – no side has ever won the Grand Final having conceded 50 points or more in a single game that season.

Robinson's side actually began the stronger, getting the match's first try after just three minutes, but they were soon pegged back and ultimately blown away – Johnston was the star of the show as he tapped down five times, including three in the final eight minutes.

"It hurts a lot. It's very embarrassing for us, there's not much more to say to that really," Robinson summarised.

"To go out and perform like that – it was really disappointing, I can imagine you can't feel much worse."

The Knights produced a similarly limp display against the Titans, who were in charge practically from start to finish – Ashley Taylor getting try number one in the second minute in what was a sign of things to come.

He later completed a hat-trick and also kicked three goals, as the Knights head into their finals meeting with the buoyant Rabbitohs in shaky form.