Warriors defeat Roosters in thriller

The New Zealand Warriors have treated 16,220 fans to a stunning 30-26 victory over the Sydney Roosters in an intense match at Mt Smart Stadium.

In a match that went right down to the wire, James Maloney's boot turned out to be the difference.

There was clearly no love loss between the two sides, with an abundance of bone crunching tackles and big hits throughout the match.

After a series of butchered opportunities by the Warriors early in the match, the Roosters took charge, scoring through Joesph Leilua in the 21st minute on the back of break by Aiden Guerra and controversial video referee try. Braith Anasta Missed the conversion.

Another break by Guerra in the 23rd minute and the Roosters back rower was over for the second try of the match. Anasta missed the conversion.

The home side hit back five minutes later through Konrad Hurell who raced 60 metres to score after future Rooster James Maloney put him in a gap. Maloney added the extras to put the Warriors within two of the lead.

Tautau Moga looked like he may have scored his first try of the match a few minutes later, however replays revealed Minichiello had knocked the ball on before it found the Roosters' rookie. 

A controversial penalty to the Warriors in the 35th minute, saw the home side threatening the Roosters' line again the Warriors claimed the lead shortly after with Hurrell claiming his second try. Maloney added the extras to extend the lead to four.

With seconds left before half-time and after being awarded a penalty with in kicking range, Anasta opted to take a shot at goal from 33 metres out, the Roosters' captain made no mistake this time.

The Roosters took charge early in the second half, with Moga scoring in only the 43rd minute after Pearce showed great vision in his own half to create the opportunity. Anasta missed the conversion again.

Shaun Johnson displayed some fancy footwork in the 49th minute close to the Roosters' line to steal the lead, the young halfback left Guerra and Mose Masoe red-faced and grabbing air with a clever step. Maloney's boot was on the money again and the Warriors were up 18-14.

A penalty on halfway to the Roosters a few minutes later saw the visitors back on the attack. The Roosters made the most of it with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves scoring under the post in the 53rd minute. Anasta made no mistake from right in front to claim the lead.

A penalty to the Warriors ten minutes later just short of half way was all the needed to take the lead back, with Johnson scoring his double courtesy of a cross-field kick by Maloney. Maloney converted the try to put his side four in front.

The Warriors were over through Vatuvei only minutes later on the back of a mistake from the Chooks. Maloney converted the try again to extend the lead to 10.

The Roosters became more desperate to reclaim the lead as time began running out and it was manifest in their low-percentage plays and offside tackles. But a penalty against the Warriors in attack in the 76th minute, provided the Roosters the opportunity they needed to get back in it with Anthony Minichiello scoring under the posts. Anasta added the extras. 

With less than two minutes left in the match the Roosters were exactly where they needed to be - a few metres out from the Warriors' line with tackles in hand. However, the opportunity was butchered, with Minichiello pinned for an incorrect play the ball on the fourth tackle.

The attacking flair of both sides was on display tonight, as was the grit of their forward packs. However, both sides showed they were just as good at butchering opportunities, giving away silly and making bad decision with the ball in hand; all problems which need to be addressed if they was to pose a challenge to the competition front runners.

Match Details
New Zealand Warriors 30 defeated Sydney Roosters 26
National Rugby League - Round 10 - Saturday May 12, 2012 5:30pm
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Referee: Steve Lyons and Henry Perenara
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Adam Reid
Crowd: 16,220
Halftime: New Zealand Warriors 12 Sydney Roosters 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Shaun Johnson (2 Tries)
2 Points - James Maloney (5 Conversions)
1 Point - Aiden Guerra (1 Try)

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (30)
Tries: Manu Vatuvei, Shaun Johnson (2), Konrad Hurrell (2)
Conversions: James Maloney (5/5)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (26)
Tries: Anthony Minichiello, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Aiden Guerra, Joseph Leilua, Tautau Moga
Conversions: Braith Anasta (2/5)
Penalty Goals: Braith Anasta (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good Evening folks and welcome to Mt Smart Stadium where last year's runners up the New Zealand Warriors host the Sydney Roosters.
We have beautiful conditions for football in Auckland to night where the New Zealand Warriors Under20s side have just taken snared victory in the Toyota Cup match, defeating the Roosters 26-18 in a thrilling game of football.
The home side have announced no late changes to their squad for tonight's match. As for the Roosters, winger Tautau Moga will be making his much anticipated NRL debut tonight. He replaces Peni Taigive on the wing.
1 min: James Maloney gets us underway.
2 min: Solid opening sets from both sides.
4 min: The Warriors receive a penalty on their own 30.
5 min: Bill Tupou loses the ball 30 out from the Roosters' tryline.
6 min: The Warriors receive a penalty20 out from their own line.
8 min: James Maloney puts a grubber through from 25 out on the last, Maloney regathers and passes to Konrad Hurrell who knocks on a few meters out from the Roosters' line.
8 min: Roosters receive a penalty a few meters out from their line.
9 min: Mitchell Pearce grubbers through on the last from 20 out but Jerome Ropati has the ball covered.
10 min: The Warriors butcher another chance, Maloney puts Hurell into space 50 out on the last, but Hurrell is ankle tapped 20 meters out and throws the ball to BJ Leilua who regains possession for the Roosters.
14 min: Jake Friend is pinned for a knock on 40 out from the Warriors' line, after attempting a chip and chase on the last.
15 min: Possible try to the Warriors.
15 min: No try! Minichiello was able to hold Konrad Hurrell up.
16 min: Warriors have it 40 out from their own line after the first tackle after a poor kick from Pearce.
17 min: Johnson goes to the air from 20 out on the last but Sammy Perett is there to diffuse it.
19 min: Roosters are penalised on halfway.
19 min: The Warriors spread it out wide through Maloney who floats a pass over the top for Tupou who cannot handle it and the Roosters are off the hook.
20 min: Possible try to BJ Leilua.
22 min: TRY
TRY! Aiden Guerrera make a break and decides to chip through from 30 out. It goes into the in-goal and Alehana Mara and BJ Leilua ground it simultaneously. Anasta fails to convert it.
Sydney Roosters 4-0
24 min: TRY
TRY! Jerome Ropati knocks on for the Warrios 20 out and Shaun Kenny-Dowall picks it up and the Roosters spread it to Aiden Gurerra who puts on a step to stroll over and try. Anasta misses the conversion again.
Sydney Roosters 8-0
26 min: The Roosters receive a penalty and will start a set 40 out from the Warriors line.
27 min: Pearce is pinned for a forward pass 15 out from the Warriors' tryline.
30 min: TRY
TRY! Maloney puts Hurrell through a gap 10 short of halfway and Hurrell puts on the accelerator to beat Minichiello and score. Maloney's conversion attempt is successful.
Sydney Roosters 8-6
33 min: Moga might have a try here.
33 min: NO TRY! Pearce went to the air on the last and Minichiello, Anasta and Kevin Locke contest it, Minichiello knocks the ball into Anasta who knocks it back to Moga, crosses the line.
34 min: Ropati is down here.
34 min: Boyd Cordner is penalised for a high shot and Ropati is being carried off.
36 min: TRY
TRY! Hurrell scores his double courtesy of some good work by Simon Mannering. Maloney adds the extras.
New Zealand Warriors 12-8
38 min: The Roosters will get a scrum 40 out from their own line after Ukuma Ta'ai knocks on.
39 min: The Roosters will get a line drop out.
40 min: PENALTY GOAL Dewsbury Rams (NL1)
Roosters receive a penalty 33 metres out and Anasta decides to take a shot at goal with the hooter sounding in background. He kicks it.
New Zealand Warriors 12-10
41 min: Anasta kicks off to bring the second half underway.
43 min: TRY
TRY! Pearce spreads it out wide to Leilua who passes to Moga ten short of halfway and Moga races away to score. Anasta's conversion attempt is unsuccessful.
Sydney Roosters 14-12
45 min: Roosters receive a penalty 30 out from their own line.
46 min: Pearce puts a bomb up from 30 out on the last and Tupou take it in his in-goal.
47 min: The Warriors receive a penalty ten short of halfway.
49 min: TRY
TRY! Johnson displays some fancy footwork to open up the Roosters' defence. Maloney adds the extras.
New Zealand Warriors 18-14
51 min: Roosters receive a penalty on halfway.
53 min: TRY
TRY! Jake Friend throws an inside pass to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves a few metres out and Waerea-Hargreaves scores under the posts. Anasta adds the extras.
Sydney Roosters 20-18
55 min: Brad Takairangi loses the ball 30 out from the his own line and the Warriors will go on the attack.
55 min: Johnson loses the ball and the Roosters launch a counter attack.
56 min: Pearce grubbers through on the last from 30 out and Maloney cleans it up and rucks it back out to his 12 metre line.
61 min: Warriors receive a penalty 20 out from their own line.
62 min: Possible try to Johnson.
64 min: TRY
TRY! James Maloney puts up a bomb from 15 out and Johnson is there to take the ball and score. Maloney adds the extras.
New Zealand Warriors 24-20
65 min: The Warriors receive a penalty 40 out from their own line.
66 min: Possible try to Vatuvei.
68 min: TRY
TRY! Maloney puts up another cross-field bomb and Vatuvei takes it a few metres from the line and takes two defenders with him over the line. Maloney's conversion attempt is successful.
New Zealand Warriors 30-20
70 min: Perrett is pinned for knock on 15 out from the Warriors' line after an Anasta chip. Tough call there.
72 min: Warriors have the ball 30 out from the Roosters' line after the Roosters try their hand too much.
72 min: Possible try to Tupou.
72 min: No try! Tupou's back foot touches the line.
74 min: Roosters are penalised for being offside, the Warriors will get a piggyback up the field.
75 min: Roosters receive a penalty against the attacking play after Ta'ai tries to pick a fight with Masoe.
77 min: TRY
TRY! Pearce puts up a cross-field bomb and Minichiello takes it to score under the posts. Anasta adds the extras.
New Zealand Warriors 30-26
78 min: Roosters receive a penalty, 20 out from their own line.
79 min: Minichiello plays the ball incorrectly with a tackle in hand only metres out from the try line.
80 min: Roosters are penalised for pushing in the scrum.
80 min: Mateo is tackled as the hooter sounds and that's the game. The Warriors hang on to win 30-26.