Roosters Fall to Warriors in Brave Performance

A right-edge play from Warriors halfback Ronald Volkman afforded the hosts an early opportunity to score with a high bomb falling into the hands of Sanele Aukusitino who beat the Roosters defence to cross in the corner. Volkman coverted the try, extending the lead to six.

The Roosters responded eight minutes later through Sam Walker who weaved his way through a crowd of Warriors to dive over under the posts. The halfback converted his own try to level the scores.

After having his opening try denied, Allan Fitzgibbon found his way over in the corner in the 23rd minute courtesy of a signature cut-out ball from Walker that created a right edge overlap. The 20-year-old couldn’t convert from touch, leaving the Roosters with a four point advantage.  

Walker kicked a penalty goal to give his team a six-point lead in the 27th minute after he was tackled late by Warriors second-rower Selumiela Halasima while kicking the ball.

Easts lock Nathan Brown set up the Roosters third try of the half only a minute later when he broke the New Zealand defensive line, offloading the ball to captain Sandon Smith who paced towards the try-line before flicking a pass to Walker. With the defence in hot pursuit, the halfback looked inside to find Tyler Moriarty, sending him over under the uprights.

Smith kicked the conversion after Walker was removed from the field with a bleeding nose to make the margin 12 points.

Volkman set up two Warriors tries in the space of three minutes to bring his team back into the contest before half time. The first came through a grubber that sat up into the chest of Nicholas Halalilo and the second play allowed Moala Graham-Taufa to fly over in the corner courtesy of a rainbow ball. The halfback kicked one of two conversions to reduce the deficit to two ahead of the siren.

With consecutive sets within 10 metres of the try-line, the Warriors opened their second-half account after a no-look pass from Ben Farr connected with Ali Leiataua to put him over the stripe. Volkman added the extras to give New Zealand a four-point lead.

The hosts found more points through Halasima four minutes later with the back rower leaping into the air to collect a high-ball before turning around to crash over the line. Volkman kicked his fourth conversion of the afternoon to extend the Warriors’ advantage.

Another cut-out ball from Walker assisted Tyrell Neiufu to find more points for the Roosters after the halfback’s pass created an overlap on the edge. His conversion attempt was taken wide by the wind, leaving the score at 28-22.

New Zealand five-eighth Eiden Ackland exploded through the line from close range to score the Warriors’ sixth try of the match in the 65th minute, while Volkman converted the four-pointer to cement a 36-22 victory for the home side.

Sydney Roosters 22 (Sam Walker, Allan Fitzgibbon, Tyler Moriarty, Tyrell Neiufi tries, Sam Walker 2, Sandon Smith 1 goal) def by New Zealand Warriors 36 (Sanele Aukusitino, Nicholas Halalilo, Moala Graham-Taufa, Ali Leiataua, Selumiela Halasima, Eiden Ackland tries, Ronald Volkman 5 goals)