The Roosters secured their fifth win of the season, keeping the Warriors from scoring a point during their 14-0 victory at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
With the wet and wild weather, the Roosters were able to capitalise on their opportunities better than the Warriors. Holding 48 per cent of the possession, they made better use of their time with the ball, completing 75 per cent of their sets and crossing for two tries.
“We had enough ball to win tonight,” said Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
“I wish we had iced a few more moments and scored a couple more tries.”
But in the end, it was the defence that won it for the visitors, with huge efforts from the likes of Matt Lodge, Nat Butcher and Lindsay Collins helping to keep the Warriors to nil.
“Really satisfying,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson of the win.
“The conditions dictated what kind of style of game it was going to be. To hold them to zero and then sneak in a couple of tries was really pleasing.”
Both teams had a short turnaround after playing in the respective Anzac Day matches. It was always going to be a tall ask for the home side who were without injured stars like Tohu Harris and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. There were also many players out of position with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak playing fullback, Marata Niukore in the front row, Josh Curran moved into the back row and Addin Fonua-Blake playing at lock.
Adding to that were some harsh calls that would have left many Warriors fans scratching their head. But when questioned on the officiating, Webster wasn’t going to get caught up in the topic.
“No excuses. We were the ones who had the impact on the result,” said Webster.
“I’ve said from the word go…every press conference this year someone has spoken to me about a referee or a decision or a moment. And I get it, they are looking for me to get a fine or make a stupid comment.
“It’s not going to be perfect, the refs aren’t always going to get it right, I get frustrated like anyone, but at the end of the day, they scored after that (penalty) because of us.”
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was a late withdrawal for the Roosters, and his effectiveness was definitely missed up the middle. It was the second week the Tricolours played without young halfback Sam Walker, with Joey Manu partnering Luke Keary once again in the halves.
Both teams adapted quite well despite the weather, still managing relatively high completion rates during the first half considering the conditions. The sides were playing the long game, keeping risks to a minimum, and the kicking games of both Keary and Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson were impressive.
The Roosters opened the scoring with a penalty goal in just the fourth minute after the Warriors were caught offside. The harsh conditions made scoring opportunities difficult for both sides, with Nat Butcher finally crossing for the visitors with the day’s first try with five minutes left in the first half and they headed to the sheds with an 8-0 lead.
But the Roosters began to take control of the game after the break, and as the rain got heavier in the second half, the errors from the Warriors began to grow. They looked certain to score in the 52nd minute but Jackson Ford lost control of the ball over the try line. The home side continued to turn the ball over in their own half gifting the Roosters much need opportunities to extend their lead. After yet another dropped ball, Sitili Tupouniua was quick to take advantage and score from the scrum, with the visitors jumping out to a 14-0 lead.
The Warriors’ next best opportunity came with just seven minutes on the clock, but some desperate goal-line defence kept Watene-Zelezniak from scoring, with Lindsay Collins diving on the loose ball.
The home side kept coming in the final minutes but as the heavens opened up once more, the Roosters held on for a 14-point lead, and the Warriors took out their first loss at home for the year.
With Sam Walker still playing in NSW Cup, the Roosters have notched up their second win in a row with Manu and Keary parenting in the halves.
With Manu proving to be one of the most versatile players in the competition never looking out of place at fullback or in the centres, it seems the Roosters lift when he is at five-eighth and able to get his hands on the ball more often.
There could be some tough decisions ahead for the Roosters coach.
When asked if Manu was a long-term option for the summer six jumper, Robinson was quick to joke.
“He’s a long-term option as a player for us!”
But he wasn’t giving anything away on the plan moving forward.
“As for that role, that’s more a week-to-week (decision),” said Robinson.
“Obviously, I’ve got three really good halves. We’ll see.”
Much like the Cowboys’ rise through the ranks last season, the Warriors are without doubt the most improved side so far for 2023.
The difference between the performances from the past few years to what they have produced this season has been chalk and cheese. The resilience and determination they have shown in all of their games would undoubtedly have their fans excited about where they are and what’s still to come.
And while so much talk surrounded the Panthers losing assistant coach Cameron Crialdo and the impact that would have on the premises, it seems not enough credit was given to their other assistant, Andrew Webster. The former Penrith assistant has been a breath of fresh air in his first head coaching role in the NRL, and while being based at home has no doubt made a positive impact on the Warriors, there is no denying how much Webster has added to the change in the Warriors fortunes.
But with their loss on Sunday to the Roosters, as well as going down to the Storm last week, has the bubble burst for our mates across the ditch?
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