Warriors beat Roosters with nothing to spare

The New Zealand Warriors have stunned the Sydney Roosters with a try literally right on full-time to grab a 20-18 victory in horrid conditions at AAMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Many could say the Roosters were the better team on the day, but the Warriors hung tough to score two tries in the final five minutes of the game to grab victory from the claws of defeat. The Warriors started the day struggling to contain the Roosters but managed to score the first try through Kevin Locke. The call was seen as controversial but was eventually given benefit of the doubt and the Warriors were off to a flying start.

The Roosters hit back however with two tries within three minutes mid-way through the first half. The running game from the Roosters gave themselves a 12-4 lead but the Warriors made sure they stayed in the contest with Kevin Locke grabbing his second try of the game right before the break.

The conditions got worse as the game went on with both sides beginning to make a number of errors. The Roosters broke the duck with Shaun Kenny-Dowall going through some soft defence to score. The conversion gave the Roosters an 18-8 advantage, some saying that was enough to win the game.

But a determined Manu Vatuvei thought otherwise, giving the Warriors a chance with a try five minutes out from full-time. James Maloney, who missed two simple kicks, drove one from the sideline in windy conditions to give the Warriors a chance. On the last tackle with seconds remaining, Lance Hohaia toed the ball ahead and found Kevin Locke who scored his third try which ended up being the match winner.

On a sour note from the Warriors, Locke hurt himself after colliding with the goalpost whilst scoring his third try. James Maloney converted to give the Warriors the win.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 18 were defeated by New Zealand Warriors 20
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 16 - Sunday June 27, 2010 2:00pm
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Ben Cummins and Gerard Sutton
Video Referee: Chris Ward
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Henry Perenara
Crowd: 20,721
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 12 New Zealand Warriors 8

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Kevin Locke (3 Tries)
2 Points - Mitchell Pearce (1 Try)
1 Point - Shaun Kenny-Dowall (1 Try)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (18)
Tries: Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Conversions: Todd Carney (3/3)

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (20)
Tries: Manu Vatuvei, Kevin Locke (3)
Conversions: James Maloney (2/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Christchurch. This match will present the Roosters a chance to go close to the top four, whilst presenting the Warriors a chance to move their way into the top eight.
Toyota Cup - The third placed Roosters were upstaged 18-10 by the Warriors.
Roosters - Braith Anasta is out of the side. Mose Masoe comes off the bench to start with Martin Kennedy coming into the side. Anthony Minichiello will take the captaincy.
Warriors - Jeremy Latimore moves to the bench, swapping places with Jesse Royal who will now start. Ukama Ta'ai drops off the five man bench.
The Warriors kick us off, we're underway!
1 min: Roosters make some good metres in the first set, but Nate Myles spills it ten away from the tryline. A good run from Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
3 min: A bomb from the Roosters, Lance Hohaia letting it bounce but Kevin Locke is able to take it.
5 min: Roosters now earn themselves a line-drop out.
7 min: The Warriors kicking game not making too many metres so far.
9 min: Possible try to the Warriors. Phil Graham waiting for the ball to go dead, but Kevin Locke might have got a hand on it. Graham too slow to get back.
9 min: Looks like he's just missed it.
9 min: TRY
Kevin Locke try, James Maloney missed conversion.

Benefit of the doubt! Could be seen as a harsh call against the Roosters. Never mind, as Kevin Locke has made an amazing effort to score here for the Warriors and that can never be denied.
New Zealand Warriors 4-0
13 min: Joel Moon spilling the play-the-ball. Roosters with a chance to go on the attack here.
14 min: A kick going dead, with Isaac John watching it dead.
16 min: The Roosters get a penalty, they'll be roughly 35 metres out on this set.
17 min: Another penalty follows, the set resets with the Roosters inside the ten.
17 min: Kevin Locke palms the ball dead...now another penalty is given to the Roosters! Three penalties in a row and the Roosters are still yet to score. The penalty was for an obstruction on the kick chase.
17 min: The Roosters with a possible try here, checking the obstruction and the grounding. Off to the video referee!
17 min: This one looks good for the Roosters.
18 min: TRY
Mitchell Pearce try, Todd Carney conversion.

Mitchell Pearce too strong for the Warriors and he finally scores the Roosters' first try.
Sydney Roosters 6-4
21 min: Another quick look at the video referee for the Roosters as they look to go back-to-back. A break from Shaun Kenny-Dowall set up the start with Phil Graham making metres, kicking the ball, finding Todd Carney who toes it ahead once again and scores.
21 min: TRY
Todd Carney try, Todd Carney conversion.

The try is finally given, the chase from the Roosters over-powered the Warriors. It will be interesting to see how this affects the Warriors.
Sydney Roosters 12-4
23 min: The Roosters were through again, but the run led to a mistake. They're playing some great running football.
23 min: The replay could suggest Warrior Manu Vatuvei may have performed a trip to make that mistake happen.
25 min: Shaun-Kenny Dowall gets away but puts a foot into touch. Manu Vatuvei looking hurt at the moment.
27 min: Following a bad bit of defence from the Warriors, Kane Linnett is driven into touch to give the Warriors decent field position.
30 min: Warriors throwing it around, not far from the line.
30 min: They wont score, it's a dropped ball. Horrid weather here.
36 min: The Warriors with a massive chance, just three metres out...they've scored! No, checking for grounding. Back to the video referee once more!
37 min: TRY
Kevin Locke try, James Maloney missed conversion

Another mistake from the Roosters gives the Warriors a new set right near the line. Kevin Locke grabs his second try of the afternoon right in the corner.
Sydney Roosters 12-8
39 min: Last minute of the half and the Roosters have good possession.
40 min: The Warriors hold out the Roosters quite well. Half-time here at Christchurch and the Roosters lead the Warriors 12-8.
40 min: Second half underway.
46 min: The match still going well for both sides, who have started the second half well.
47 min: As I say that, Michael Luck has spilled the ball. Here comes the Roosters inside the thirty.
48 min: A good set in passing from the Roosters, but Shaun Kenny-Dowall spills it.
50 min: Now the Warriors are ten metres out...but another error.
52 min: The conditions getting worse, so much wind behind the Warriors right now.
55 min: Nate Myles with an error as soon as he comes onto the field. This is a chance for the Warriors, can they do it this time?
57 min: Another dropped ball.
63 min: TRY
Shaun Kenny-Dowall try, Todd Carney conversion.

After breaking the line, Kenny-Dowall goes through some defenders near the line to score here. Could this seal it for the Roosters?
Sydney Roosters 18-8
69 min: Warriors with a massive chance here, they could get back into the match here.
70 min: Line-drop out. The Roosters get the ball back with the ball going into touch!
70 min: Mitchell Pearce comes up with an error.
70 min: Crowd 20,721 in horrid conditions. Great crowd here in Christchurch.
72 min: Warriors with a scrum, looks like they'll get their second penalty of the day. This possession comes off a controversial referee call where Hohaia booted the ball out of the field and they've somehow been awarded the scrum.
74 min: Yet another video referee call! Manu Vatuvei might have scored here for the Warriors!
74 min: TRY
Manu Vatuvei try, James Maloney conversion.

Vatuvei in the corner and somehow Maloney manages a sideline conversion after a pair of horrid attempts in the first half. Drama at it's best!
Sydney Roosters 18-14
75 min: The Warriors so close to getting a 40/20! So close, yet, so far.
76 min: Anthony Minichiello grabs the ball with the Warriors looming. The Roosters need an error-free set here.
78 min: Roughly two minutes to go here for the Warriors. The Roosters lucky as a kick goes ever so close of going out on the full.
78 min: Maloney juggling it early in the set. Nearly lost it.
80 min: Fifth and last...LOCKE HAS DONE IT!
80 min: Video referee...Hohaia toes it....Locke gathers...toes again. He's hit the upright but it's in front. This is the win here! Looks like the hit on the upright has put an injury in this.
80 min: The try is awarded. Kevin Locke still down, looking serious. Best wishes. James Maloney right in front.
80 min: TRY
Kevin Locke try, James Maloney conversion.

That is Locke's third. Maloney from in front and the Warriors have done it!
New Zealand Warriors 20-18