As it happened: Warriors thrash Roosters
The 24-year-old opened the scoring for the visitors before bustling back-rower Leivaha Pulu and powerful centre Solomone Kata both crossed to help them enjoy a commanding 18-6 halftime lead, after the Roosters scored an early try through centre Latrell Mitchell.
Lino then slotted a penalty 12 minutes into the second-half, and soon after produced a pinpoint cross-field kick for wing David Fusitu'a to climb high to post their fourth try with more than a quarter of the match remaining, before Lino rounded out his tally with two more late penalties.
Coach Stephen Kearney suggested the Roosters might have taken his side lightly following news pre-game that the Warriors were missing both their key playmaker Johnson and prop James Gavet, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
"Possibly we got them on a bit of an off-day, when you get the news of someone like Shaun and James not being in the side," Kearney said.
"I'm not downplaying the lads' effort – they defended really well and stuck to the plan pretty well.
"There were times when we drifted away from it but there were contributions from right across the park and it was going to take one of those sorts of performances from the team today."
Kearney was pleased with Lino's contribution and explained Johnson's absence was more precautionary, leaving hope that he'll be fit for next Saturday's double-header clash against North Queensland at Mt Smart Stadium.
"Early on in the week he pulled up with a bit of soreness and he missed a couple of trainings and had a fitness test yesterday and we just didn't want to take any risks," he said.
"Young Mason's been with the group all week and he did a wonderful job."
The Warriors last year managed only one away win but this year's outfit are thriving on the challenge of playing across the Tasman. They've already racked up their third road victory despite a busy schedule taking them to Perth, Auckland, and Canberra before Sydney.
The Roosters were the first to score with Mitchell finishing off a set move but the home side's play quickly deteriorated through mistakes and ill-discipline.
The Warriors replied with Lino accepting an offload from second-rower Tohu Harris to score after Green switched play back across the ruck from left to right.
Sustained pressure paid off after Lino forced a repeat set with Pulu crashing over on the left, and Kata steamed on to a pass from captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck down the same side to extend the lead to 18-4 before Mitchell kicked a penalty for the Roosters just before halftime.
The anticipated Roosters comeback never got going and the Warriors pushed further ahead in the second-half through Lino's right boot and Fusitu'a's fifth try of the season, while they defended brilliantly to contain the Tri Colours.
Warriors 30 (Mason Lino, Leivaha Pulu, Solomone Kata, David Fusitu'a tries; Mason Lino 4 cons, 3 pens)
Roosters 6 (Latrell Mitchell try; pen)
