NRL: Feathers fly in tough win

Simon Mannering makes a break. Photo / Getty Images

All of a sudden, life is a lot rosier for the Warriors. After the gloom of three-straight defeats to start the season, they have now won their last two and are moving in the right direction up the table.

There was also a lot to like about the way the Warriors played last night. They attacked their work with intensity and energy on attack and defence through the likes of Lewis Brown and Simon Mannering. They backed it up with a good kicking game from James Maloney.

There will be plenty of sore bodies this morning after one of the most bruising games at Mt Smart Stadium in recent times.

Nate Myles was dazed in the first minute, Braith Anasta had a shiner after receiving an elbow from team-mate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Todd Carney was left prone after a strong hit from Bill Tupou and Jacob Lillyman was battered by two thumping tackles.

But one of the sorest will be Warriors fullback Glen Fisiiahi, who was helped from the field late in the first half after being bent backwards in a rugged tackle.

Something had to give and he left the field in obvious discomfort with an ankle sprain.

It was bitterly disappointing for not only the player but also the crowd because the 20-year-old had just dazzled them with a jinking run before he ran into Justin Carney and Daniel Conn, who were less impressed.

It meant something of a reprieve for Lance Hohaia. The 28-year-old had lost his spot to Fisiiahi a fortnight ago after a series of indifferent displays and came off the bench last night to slot in at dummy-half.

It's hard to see Fisiiahi returning in the near future - he was taken away on the golf cart with his left leg covered in ice packs - handing Hohaia his chance to find his form again from fullback.

He scored a slick 47th minute try, when he took advantage of a poor read from Phil Graham and sliced through the Roosters defence, and was, much to the relief of the 13,312-strong crowd, safe under the high ball.

The Warriors also played with imagination. They have come to rely heavily on Manu Vatuvei in recent seasons, for good reason, but his absence has almost forced them to find other avenues to attack.

Feleti Mateo's move into five-eighth has helped. The new recruit is certainly unpredictable - both good and bad - but he creates uncertainty in opposition defences. He fashioned a first-half try for Krisnan Inu with a clever left-footed grubber kick when the Roosters expected him to run and offload and he looked dangerous with ball in hand.

But, for all of that, he can cause problems for his own side and the Roosters scored through Mitchell Pearce seconds after a loose Mateo pass in his own half.

He needs to be encouraged to play his natural game because the Warriors need players who can create something out of nothing - but he also needs to recognise where and when the pass is on.

Oppositions know to attack the ball when he carries it and he gives them plenty of encouragement. He was hooked by coach Ivan Cleary with six minutes remaining after a series of ill-advised passes.

Both sides were guilty of too many errors and the Warriors took advantage of a colossal one from Pearce, who flung the ball inside only for it to sit up for Shaun Berrigan to claim the loose ball and race in for the crucial try of the night.

It gave the Warriors a decisive 22-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining and they did enough to close out the match.

They travel to Manly next Saturday to chase a third straight win. If they can do that, they will feel they are well and truly back.

Warriors 24
K. Inu, L. Brown, L. Hohaia, S. Berrigan tries;
J. Maloney 3 gls

Roosters 12
S. Kenny-Dowall, M. Pearce tries;
B. Anasta 2 gls

HT: 10-6