The Sydney Roosters opened their account for 2023 with a comfortable win at Allianz Stadium.
Result
Sydney Roosters 20
Tries: (3) Jaxson Paulo 4th, 47th; Sam Walker 57th
Goals: (4) Sam Walker 6th, 11th, 49th, 74th
New Zealand Warriors 12
Tries: (2) Wayde Egan 24th; Addin Fonua-Blake 62nd
Goals: (2) Shaun Johnson 26th, 63rd
Field Goal: N/A
Report
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the new SFS, the Roosters were keen to atone for their loss to The Dolphins, while the Warriors would be wanting to build on their win over Newcastle, and improve their recent horrible record in Australia.
The Eastern Suburbs side scored first through Jaxson Paulo in the fourth minute – touching down in the right-hand corner after the Roosters spread the footy close to the line. Their numbers were too much for the Warriors.
A Sam Walker penalty in the 11th minute pushed the Roosters’ lead to 8-0.
But the Warriors hit back through Wayde Egan, cutting the score to 8-6, which became the Roosters’ half-lead.
The Roosters put the foot down in the second half, with Paulo’s second try and one to Walker (after a big break from Joseph Suaalii) pushing their lead out to 18-6 with 20 minutes left.
The Warriors kept coming, scoring through Addin Fonua-Blake to close the gap to 18-12.
Bayley Sironen nearly tied the scores five minutes later but was stopped by James Tedesco five metres out.
Another Walker penalty (for a personal haul of 12 points) pushed the Roosters out to safety at 20-12.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Jaxson Paulo (Roosters)
2 – Sam Walker (Roosters)
1 – Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
