4.00pm - By ROBERT LOWE
The Sydney Roosters returned to the top of the National Rugby League (NRL) today after coming from behind to beat a brave New Zealand Warriors side 30-24 in Auckland.
Hooker Craig Wing scored two of his side's five tries as the Roosters climbed back above the Bulldogs on points differential.
The result meant the Warriors remained mired in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Warriors, who are also separated only by points differential from bottom-of-the-table South Sydney, host the Canterbury Bulldogs in the final round next weekend.
Souths, who drew with Brisbane yesterday, are away to Canberra, who still have hopes of a playoff spot.
The Warriors went into a 12-0 lead midway through the first half today when they had the benefit of strong wind.
They were helped early on by a rash of Roosters errors that allowed them attacking chances from good field position.
A strong run by prop Iafeta Paleaaesina and a Stacey Jones grubber kick set up an opening try for second rower Awen Guttenbeil after six minutes.
There was more for the home supporters in the 8019-strong crowd to cheer after 17 minutes when a bust by second rower Wairangi Koopu led to prop Karl Temata scoring his first try for the club.
Jones converted both efforts to pass the milestone of 500 NRL points.
However, the Roosters hit back soon after, when second rower Anthony Tupou broke through a soft defensive line to cross by the goalposts.
They drew level after skipper Brad Fittler broke clear to send Wing over for the Roosters' second converted try.
The Warriors then had a golden chance to move back in front, only to have centre Tony Martin drop the ball with the tryline open.
Instead, it was the visitors who went into the break ahead, after winger Chris Walker landed a penalty when a late tackle by Paleaasina on halfback Brett Finch was put on report.
The Roosters went further ahead early in the second half when second rower Michael Crocker forced his way over.
Down 12-20, the Warriors closed the gap with winger Cooper Vuna scoring his first NRL try after latching on to a Lance Hohaia grubber.
Jones converted from the sideline to make it a two-point ball game.
Vuna, an Otahuhu College sixth former who turned 17 last month, was making his second first-grade appearance and his first in the starting 13.
He had replaced Vinnie Anderson, who was a late withdrawal after still suffering from the effects of a knock to the head in the loss to Parramatta last weekend.
The Warriors gave NRL debuts off the bench to prop Kane Ferris and back Paul Atkins in the second half, the 34th and 35th players they have used this season.
Atkins had a memorable introduction to first grade when his first two touches with the ball ended in crunching tackles by British prop Adrian Morley.
Guttenbeil then produced a big hit of his own on replacement Ned Catic, only to be penalised for offside.
While the crowd was still buzzing, the Roosters moved swiftly downfield and scored through Wing.
Morley sealed the victory with five minutes to go, but there was enough time for Jerome Ropati, who had impressed as stand-in fullback, to grab the Warriors' fourth try.
Sydney Roosters 30
(Craig Wing 2, Anthony Tupou, Michael Crocker, Adrian Morley tries; Chris Walker 5 goals)
New Zealand Warriors 24
(Awen Guttenbeil, Karl Temata, Cooper Vuna, Jermone Ropati tries; Stacey Jones 4 goals).
Halftime: 14-12.
- NZPA
Warriors draw and results - 2004 NRL
Other NRL fixtures and points table
Rugby League: Roosters back on top, Warriors still in wooden spoon battle
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.