Warriors 12
Roosters 20
Some more positive signs – but still a fair way to go.
The Warriors continue to show their progress from last season, with this spirited effort against the Sydney Roosters but they ultimately couldn’t bridge the divide between good and great, going down 20-12 on a sweltering Saturday afternoon.
Their courage couldn’t be faulted, as they overcame a significant weight of possession – and the loss of two players to concussion – to stay the course.
The defensive effort at times was outstanding, especially late in the first half, but those exertions eventually told.
This match illustrated the journey ahead for the Auckland team.
While they made an encouraging start to the season last week, this was always going to be a much tougher test, especially after the Roosters were stung by Redcliffe on the opening weekend.
And so it proved.
The Warriors competed for long periods – but not quite long enough.
There was remarkable resilience too, but learning to duel with the classier teams is another lesson.
The visitors were also stung by too many errors, at inopportune times.
The Warriors paid an immense physical price, losing second rower Jackson Ford (second minute) and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (53rd minute) after both failed head injury assessments, then Josh Curran (hip) with 20 minutes to play.
But in a way this game was less about the result – as not many truly expected the Warriors to win – and more about the performance.
In that regard, it was another step forward, especially compared to their matches against competition heavyweights in the past two seasons.
And the Warriors pushed the Roosters to the limit, setting up a grandstand finish, with two good chances to score in the final 15 minutes when they only trailed by six points, before Sam Walker’s late penalty shot iced the match.
The Roosters led 8-6 at the break, before extending their lead with two second half tries.
A converted try to Addin Fonua-Blake in the 62nd minute sparked hopes for Warriors’ fans, but the home side always looked more likely and so it proved.
But the Warriors will be heartened.
The prolonged defensive effort leading into halftime reminded of the good old days, as the Warriors refused to buckle on their goal line, despite a mountain of pressure.
They also scored two smart tries – with first half Wayde Egan effort one of the best Warriors’ set moves seen in recent years, with clever interplay between three members of the spine and Tohu Harris.
And they also never stopped, where other teams might have wilted facing a 12 point deficit in the final quarter.
However, their start was again costly.
After they lost Ford to a borderline tackle by Lindsay Collins, Mitch Barnett dropped the ball on halfway at the end of their first attacking set.
The Roosters swung into gear, and a try seemed inevitable, after a repeat set then three consecutive six again calls, before Jaxson Paulo dived over in the corner.
But instead of a flood of points, the Warriors dug in.
The Roosters still had most of the play, but couldn’t make it count, thanks to gritty defence.
Coach Andrew Webster will be disappointed with another slow start after the break, as a poor handling error, then a cheap penalty, invited the Roosters onto attack and Joseph Manu eventually created Paulo’s second.
Nicoll-Klokstad then succumbed to a nasty head clash, before Walker finished off a long range break to give the Roosters breathing space.
But this, unlike many others last year, was a defeat with honour.
Roosters 20 (Jaxson Paulo 2, Sam Walker tries. Walker 2 cons, Walker 2 pens)
Warriors 12 (Wayde Egan, Addin Fonua-Blake tries. Shaun Johnson 2 cons) Halftime: 8-6
Fisher-Harris begins his Warriors era Sunday at 4pm against the Canberra Raiders.