Roosters grind out win in the wet over Warriors

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Warriors v Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters won a wet and wild game 14-0 over New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

The Roosters were the first side to hold their opponents to nil in 2023 after a grinding affair which saw forwards Nat Butcher and Sitili Tupouniua cross for the only two tries as they travel back across the ditch with two points. 

The wet conditions which had hit much of the east coast of Australia made its way to New Zealand in this contest and both teams were more careful with their handling which saw the opening stages be an arm wrestle. 

Our first points came from the boot. Warriors weren't able to make it ten metres from their dropout then Joseph Suaalii stepped up and piloted home the goal to give the Roosters a 2-0 advantage after four minutes. 

Chances were few and far between in the first half. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tried to plant the ball down but he knocked on. Both teams also used the grubber as a main weapon which was used to good effect. 

Roosters did get a four-pointer just before halftime. It was a quick play-the-ball which gave them the room and Nat Butcher was able to crash over from close range for a 8-0 lead going into half-time. 

Warriors started the second half on the front foot forcing a few errors. They went close through Jackson Ford but he was denied as the wait continued for the hosts who were being directed around by Shaun Johnson. 

The visitors further extended their advantage from a kick again. Brandon Smith punched through a low kick and the returning Sitili Tupouniua was able to touch down. The forward was a key cog in the Roosters win today. 

It was an afternoon where the Warriors handling cruelled them. They made 13 errors across the game and didn't look like troubling the Roosters defence in the game and suffer back-to-back defeats.