REPORT | New Zealand Warriors 0-32 Sydney Roosters

It was a sorry afternoon for New Zealand Warriors as they went down 32-0 against Sydney Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium in Indigenous Round.

MATCH DETAILS

From the outset it appeared that the Sydney Roosters had the advantage with the greater opportunities.  A few errors inside the Warriors twenty kept the game scoreless inside the first twenty minutes.  The Roosters were finally rewarded when Cooper Cronk found Ryan Matterson in open space near the line to post the first try.  Right on half-time Joseph Manu scored in the corner after an overlap was created and the visitor went into the sheds fourteen points up.

It only took two minutes for the Roosters to effectively put the game away in the second half with Blake Ferguson on the end of a well executed back line play.  Five minutes later Luke Keary easily penetrated the Warriors defence and found James Tedesco on the inside to score.  Isaac Liu’s try four minutes from time saw the Roosters score 30 points for the first time since their 38-8 win over Newcastle in Round 3.

FOUR POINTERS

ONCE WERE WARRIORS

Another sign that New Zealand Warriors may not be what they are cracked up to be.  They left their football game in the sheds and offered little resistance on the paddock.  It’s not a good sign how they dealt with the withdrawal of Isaac Luke on top of not naming Shaun Johnson in their line-up.  Their first scoreless match at home since going down to St George-Illawarra Dragons on August 8 2015 by 0-36.  A lot to think about for the club as they travel to Sydney and tackle Parramatta Eels this Friday night.

HAS FREDDY’S SELECTION BECOME CLEARER?

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With Origin selection just weeks away, a few hands were raised for New South Wales selection.  In what’s being regarded as one of the most open races for a Blues jumper, a few incumbents might have put a dent in some bolters.  James Tedesco at the back played with a steady contribution in attack including backing up Luke Keary for a four pointer.  Any doubt which could have been cast over Boyd Cordner should be erased with a solid performance, given there’s a strong case for the Dragons to dominate the Blues forward pack.

WARRIORS NEED TO CURB ERRORS

The Warriors committed sixteen errors in their poor loss.  Many of these happened within the Warriors half.  With the game built on possession and field position, Stephen Kearney’s men will be working hard on fixing this part of their game.  Credit also has to go to the Roosters defence who put the heat up the Warriors inside their twenty and took full advantage.

STIRRING INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE

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This year’s Indigenous Round has been celebrated in the best way thus far.  Despite being one of the longest Indigenous performances this round, it was by far the most emotional, stirring ritual of the round so far.  Both the Warriors and Roosters clubs deserve praise for the effort both clubs put in to making the event possible.

THE RESULT