Seniors Report: NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Round 2

Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg team recorded a 30-point victory over the Canberra Raiders on Sunday, while the NSW Cup team suffered an agonising loss to the New Zealand Warriors, going down 30-12 on Saturday.

NSW Cup

Roosters Fall to Warriors Despite Strong Second-Half Surge

On Saturday, the Sydney Roosters hosted the New Zealand Warriors at Allianz Stadium in a high-scoring NSW Cup contest, with the Warriors flying out of the blocks early before the Tricolours pulled the game back to an eventual 30-18 score line.

Fijian International Vuate Karawalevu provided a shining light for the home side, scoring two tries and making three line-breaks in the intense match-up.

The Warriors drew first blood in the fourth minute, with halfback Ronald Volkman sending fullback Taine Tuaupiki over the stripe with a brilliant no-look inside ball.

Lightning struck twice just 10 minutes later when Ali Leiataua threw a flick pass to winger Sanele Aukusitino who bumped off Karawalevu to score, extending the Warriors’ lead to 10-points.

A handling error by the Roosters in the nineteenth minute gifted the Warriors possession on their try line. They capitalised through five-eighth Ben Farr who crashed over in the corner, before Volkman converted to make it 16-0.

New Zealand then turned over possession just 15 metres out from their own line. Easts were finally able to claw one back, with Karawalevu bagging a try in his first NSW Cup match for the Roosters.

The Warriors extended their hefty lead to 18-points when Freddy Lussick dived over to score from dummy half. The sides headed into the sheds with New Zealand leading 22-4.

A few minutes into the second half the Red, White and Blue coughed up the ball on halfway, gifting possession to the Warriors. Volkman took advantage of the field position just a few plays later as he tiptoed his way through the defensive line, finding his Captain Michael Sio who scored New Zealand’s fifth try of the game.

Gaining territory from a penalty, the Roosters were able to cross the line once again through Karawalevu, who slid over to finish off a play which featured some quick hands through the backline.

Easts found another four-points just minutes later, after an error from Warriors fullback Tuaupiki afforded Sydney possession, giving Ethan King the opportunity to fend off Leiatana on his way to the try line off the scrum play.

King produced yet another moment of magic in the 65th minute, breaking through two tackles to split the defensive line on halfway and kicking ahead for Joseph Whitikama Temara Taipari to score, reducing the deficit to 10.  

Having been awarded a penalty close to the opposing try line, the Warriors took the opportunity to extend their lead to 12 with a Volkman penalty kick.

Despite a spirited second half display from the Roosters which featured three tries in ten minutes, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the strong Warriors side. Sydney will now turn their attention to their clash with South Sydney on Sunday afternoon.

By Ellery Behan