The Sydney Roosters have celebrated Easter Sunday with a 22-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Donning their 2022 Heritage jersey in homage to the 2002 Premiership side, the Roosters channelled the heroics of Brad Fittler's men to overcome an early eight-point deficit and complete a perfect afternoon at the hallowed SCG.
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou moved into equal second on the Club's all-time tryscorer's list with a first-half four-pointer, while Kevin Naiqama and Sam Walker scored second-half tries to seal the result.
Teenager Joseph Suaalii and hooker Sam Verrills both made their long-awaited first appearance for season 2022, while halfback Luke Keary put in a trademark performance in his 100th game for the Club.
Match: Roosters v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Roosters
5th Position
away Team
Warriors
9th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
The Chookpen was in full force from the outset, buoyed from the 2002 team's lap of honour as they cheered on the men from Bondi, who emulated their counterparts with plenty of physicality and aggression in defence to begin proceedings.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley each caused havoc for the Warriors' ball runners, and after the side's first two opportunities at finding points went awry, the visitors took a two-point lead through a Reece Walsh penalty goal after a tough opening ten minutes.
Rapid Roosters Respond Through Tupou
The following set saw the Tricolours pack a scrum 35 metres from the line after New Zealand lost possession, but an error of their own squandered a chance to hit back - and their opponents made the most of it.
A threatening grubber from Shaun Johnson then forced a line drop out, and off the back of their newfound momentum, the Warriors swung it left for Edward Kosi to score in the corner.
Reece Walsh's conversion saw the Roosters behind by eight points after just over a quarter of the match remaining.
The Roosters had another chance to fix their earlier mistake as the Warriors coughed up possession from the kick-off once again, but ill-discipline continued to cruel Trent Robinson's side in a frustrating period as the sun continued to beat down on the SCG.
Naiqama Wraps Up Walsh
But the tenacity of the side shone through as a Sam Walker cross-field kick forced an error, and soon enough it was Daniel Tupou crossing in the corner from a well-orchestrated scrum move to open the side's account.
Walker's sideline conversion closed the gap to two points with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half.
With the tide of battle swaying to and fro in the dying stages of the first stanza, Easts forced unnecessary pressure upon themselves with a kick out on the full and a penalty for a swinging arm, with the Warriors taking an 8-6 lead as they headed to the sheds.
Fletcher Baker Saves a Certain Try
The Tricolours couldn't have asked for a better start to the second half as the Warriors' kick-off sailed past the dead ball line, and in just a matter of moments, the scoreline was level as Walker opted for a penalty goal in front of the sticks following a ruck penalty.
Building pressure on the line, the visitors took advantage of multiple sets to send Reece Walsh over to score - but a desperate cover tackle from Fletcher Baker dislodged the ball in a pivotal moment in the match.
Baker's efforts were rewarded soon after as a towering kick from Keary forced an error from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, and in the blink of an eye, Kevin Naiqama was over the line and the Roosters were in the lead for the first time.
Naiqama Pounces on an Error to Score
Walker's conversion saw the Roosters take a 14-8 lead heading into the final 25 minutes of the contest.
Both sides traded penalties at either end in search of points, before quick offloading found Sitili Tupouniua and Suaalii falling just short of the line in an expansive set - but the Roosters continued to show resilience in the heat of battle.
Not to be deterred after being denied, the Red, White and blue were finally over as Sam Walker spun his way over to touch down, adding the extras to give the side a 20-8 lead with just under a quarter of the match remaining.
But the visitors were quick to hit back and close the deficit as a cross-field kick from Walsh found Watene-Zelezniak, who dummied his way to the line - and the young fullback's conversion saw the sides now split by just six points.
The Warriors looked to a Captain's Challenge following an error from the resulting kick-off, but it was the Tricolours who took possession following an unsuccessful attempt to overturn the call.
Walker Spins and Scores
Another bomb and another error saw the Roosters in prime position to score, and soon enough it was Tedesco challenging a lost ball in the ruck - this time with success - and Walker brought his side back to an eight-point lead with a penalty goal.
Tupouniua came inches from adding his name to the scoresheet following a toe-poke from Walker, while Lindsay Collins reached out before being denied by the bunker, and despite the misses, the Roosters continued their 2002 celebrations in the end with a 22-14 win over the Warriors.
Sydney Roosters 22 (Daniel Tupou, Kevin Naiqama, Sam Walker tries; Sam Walker 3 goals; Sam Walker 2 penalty goals) def New Zealand Warriors 14 (Edward Kosi, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tries; Reece Walsh 2 goals; Reece Walsh penalty goal)
