Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Caught: Simon Mannering is swamped by Roosters. Photo: Getty Images
The Warriors' dry spell in the NRL continues.
But it was a near-run thing as the club lost to the Roosters at Eden Park on Saturday night, thanks largely to the abilities of Shaun Johnson. The mercurial halfback was in everything for the Warriors. His kicking game was the only bright spot in an inept first-half performance by the hosts, before turning conductor in the second.
He scored the Warriors' first try, and set up their other two, but with the opportunity to even the scores with a conversion with just five minutes to go, he missed. Such is football. Yet while the margin of victory was only two for the Roosters, problems ring loudly for Matt Elliott's side. Who should play as hooker and addressing their defensive frailties are the first two that need addressing.
The Warriors have dropped the first two matches of the season, stretching their NRL losing streak to 10. Roosters backs Anthony Minichiello and Shaun Kenny-Dowall were stunning defensively, while Michael Jennings looks to have found a home in Sydney's east.
The talented former Panthers centre set up their first try and nearly scored two himself in a combative effort throughout the match for the visitors.
A stunning fifth-minute break from Jennings set up Minichiello only metres from the try line. The veteran fullback was just able to get the ball down, thanks to a spectacular dive that allowed him to avoid a covering tackle from Warriors skipper Simon Mannering.
The pressure continued from the Roosters, notching three straight attacking sets on the Warriors line.
The Warriors' defence bowed but didn't break and soon the patient hosts applied some of their own pressure thanks to Johnson. The halfback's well-measured 40/20 gave his side its first attacking opportunity of the match.
It was bungled, with Feleti Mateo fumbling with the line begging. Indeed, clean possession was proving difficult for both sides thanks to the greasiness of the Eden Park pitch. Mannering, usually the most dependable man on the paddock, was below par in the first stanza – making two uncharacteristic fumbles in key sets.
Johnson's boot put the Roosters under pressure several more times in the half, but thanks to astute defensive games of Kenny-Dowall and Minichiello, they rarely threatened.
A clever offload by Daniel Mortimer, combined with inept defending from the hosts, allowed utility Mitch Aubusson to wriggle over just two minutes after half-time.
Kenny-Dowall followed him four minutes later, with the Warriors left edge looking ordinary again.
The Warriors looked on the ropes – but it was Johnson who sparked them and the 32,740 in the crowd back into life.
Breaking through the Roosters' right edge after 51 minutes, the fleet-footed halfback went 70 metres to claim the Warriors' first of the match. He turned creator for their next three minutes later, with a neat pass sending utility Pita Godinet over from close range.
For the first time in the match, the Warriors had the game's momentum in their hands and the trench warfare of the first stanza seemed a distant memory.
Mortimer continued to run the ship well for the Roosters, while former All Black Sonny Bill Williams, who had a quiet first half, began to flex his muscles.
Indeed, he nearly proved creator for Jennings after 68 minutes, delivering the centre with a stunning offload which sent him on 60-metre burst before being bundled into touch on the line.
Bill Tupou scored late but Johnson was unable to convert, ensuring a third loss at Eden Park from three attempts for the Warriors.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 16 (M Aubusson S Kenny-Dowall A Minichiello tries J Maloney 2 goals) bt WARRIORS 14 (P Godinet S Johnson B Tupou tries S Johnson goal) at Eden Park. Referee: Phil Haines, Ashley Klein.AAP
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