NRL: Why the Warriors statement win over Roosters eases any early season doubts
New Zealand Warriors players celebrate a try from Leka Halasima during their opening round win against the Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, on Friday. Photo / Photosport
So much for the experts. So much for the historical round-one blues. And so much to like.
It’s only one game – and we are six gruelling months away from playoffs football – but the Warriors’ 42-18 win over the Roosters on Friday felt like a bit of a statement.
The Auckland club don’t normally come out of the blocks like this. They haven’t in the Andrew Webster era – they haven’t in many other eras.
For everything to click, in front of a sellout crowd, on a balmy Auckland night, bodes well for what’s coming in 2026. Especially against a stacked, albeit misfiring Roosters side.
Timely tonic
This was, by some distance, the best display in the 11 games since the club have been without Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf. While the team will gladly welcome both back, when they are ready to return, this showed what is possible in the absence of their most dominant forward and most influential back. The pack worked as a unit, dominating the ruck for long periods and the backline work was clean and crisp. It was a vital boost, given the tough draw across the first six rounds, arguably the hardest in recent memory.
Tanah turns it on
Friday night shows the benefit of a tailored off-season. Halfback Tanah Boyd had to learn on the fly last year, after Metcalf’s injury in the round 17 clash with the Broncos. He was steady but didn’t always look completely comfortable, as he tried to find his feet in the first-grade side.
Friday was a different story, as he tested the line with his willingness to run and managed some lovely deliveries for his outsides. He had a hand in four tries, while the solo dash to open the Warriors’ 2026 account will be invaluable for his confidence.
Roger ramps it up
Just when you thought you had seen it all from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, across almost a decade at the club,he continues to surprise. His agility, footwork and ball handling was superb on Friday night, and the winger helped to produce three tries, with some deft close quarter work and all at critical times. Beyond the pure skill, it was his hunger and drive that stood out, always prepared for the contest and reading the play a step ahead.
Veterans thrive
After all the talk about the young tyros in the pack, it was the two oldest Warriors’ forwards that stood out in round one. Co-captain James Fisher-Harris had one of his best matches for the Auckland club, a strong, aggressive presence on both sides of the ball and an intensity in everything he did, along with an unlikely intercept to defuse a late Rooster raid.
Second-rower Kurt Capewell also produced a vintage display, highlighted by a remarkable piece of handling to set up Adam Pompey’s try. He also rolled back the years with his slashing first-half score, while his improbable slips catch of a Roosters’ grubber was a late turning point.
Attitude and accuracy
Above everything else, it was the attitude and accuracy that stood out for the home team. From the first set there were signs that the team was up for it, with a sense that no matter what unfolded, they would be hard to beat.
Gone was the nervy, uncertain home displays from the second half of last season, as they embraced the occasion. They were also precise, with barely any mistakes in the first half, which heaped pressure on the Roosters, and a staggering 85% completion rate across the match.
Lady luck
The Warriors undoubtedly enjoyed the rub of the green on Friday night. While they earned their luck with endeavour and hard work, a lot of calls and moments fell their way.
The Roosters, whose discipline was all over the place, were caned with penalties and set restarts, while most of the bunker decisions helped the Warriors. That is a caveat to keep in mind, as it won’t always be like that and when the Sydney team finally got some flow in the second half, they looked extremely dangerous.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.