NRL: Warriors strike late to down error-prone Roosters

One week after toppling four-time NRL premiers Penrith, the Sydney Roosters have come crashing back to earth with a scrappy 14-6 defeat to the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Friday night.

What started with such promise quickly unravelled, as the Sydney Roosters emotional high from last week’s statement win was replaced by sloppy execution and costly errors.

Despite leading for the majority of the contest, 12 unforced mistakes proved too much to overcome.

The Tricolours held a narrow 6-4 lead for 64 minutes on the back of a gutsy defensive effort led by skipper James Tedesco, but were ultimately overrun in the final stages by a spirited New Zealand Warriors outfit.

Chanel Harris-Tavita flipped the match on its head with a spectacular leaping effort, soaring above Tedesco to claim the match-turning try off a high ball.

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It was the Warriors’ first lead of the night, and the reward for sustained pressure from the five-eighth, whose growing combination with Luke Metcalf continues to impress.

Ali Leiataua then sealed the deal with a second four-pointer in the final 10 minutes, capitalising on another Roosters error to send the Mt Smart crowd into raptures.

There was some concern for the home side, however, with veteran winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck hobbling off late with a suspected hamstring injury in what could put a dampener on the win.

The Roosters, meanwhile, were left to rue what might have been.

Mark Nawaqanitawase nearly pulled off the play of the season late in the first half, bursting down the sideline, chipping over the top and juggling the ball over the line – only for an awkward bounce to see him slide dead before grounding it.

It would have been a try to remember for the Rugby Sevens Olympian.

Connor Watson was ruled out at halftime after copping a stray elbow from Jackson Ford and failing his HIA and is set to miss next week’s clash against the Titans.

Victor Radley also sent a scare through the camp with yet another head knock midway through the first half following a heavy collision with Marata Niukore, but he later returned after passing his assessment.

After showing so much promise against the Panthers, the Roosters’ inconsistency remains a concern.

They’ll have to regroup quickly before hosting the Titans next Friday night, while the Warriors will take plenty of confidence from the comeback – and from the growing maturity of Harris-Tavita and Metcalf in the halves.

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