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Warriors run riot with big opening win over Roosters
Dave Worsley, AAP • March 6th, 2026 10:50 pm
Leka Halasima celebrates his Round 1 try against the Sydney Roosters | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The NZ Warriors have dominated the Sydney Roosters from the first to the final whistle in Auckland to start their NRL season in the best possible way.
The Roosters showed class at times, but then looked all at sea on other occasions as they struggled for continuity, particularly in defence on Friday night at Go Media Stadium.
The Warriors chalked up four tries to one to lead 22-6 at the break with an inspired performance across the field.
In fine conditions in front of a boisterous crowd of 24,112 it was the home side who scored first as Tanah Boyd spied a gap, sold an easy dummy and zipped through after 12 minutes.
Tanah Boyd scores first Warriors try of 2026 NRL season | Warriors Live
The Roosters quickly replied as Billy Smith went through weak tackles to set up James Tedesco from 20 metres out, and with Sam Walker's conversion the score was locked at 6-6 after 18 minutes.
After the Tricolours had a Benaiah Ioelu try disallowed, Adam Pompey crossed out wide before quick hands reached Kurt Capewell on the burst to cross for the home side and a 16-6 lead after the successful kick.
Chanel Harris-Tavita then scored in the corner after a messy couple of passes and Boyd converted for a 22-6 halftime lead.
The Roosters started the second half with a Daly Cherry-Evans try not given and the Warriors added their fifth four-pointer as Leka Halasima pulled down a Boyd kick near the posts.
Billy Smith then ran in a try for the visitors after shifting through weak tackles to give the Roosters some hope and take their score into double figures.
Leka Halasima flies past the Roosters with surprise try | Warriors Live
Their momentum continued with Naufahu Whyte opening the defence wide to get Angus Crichton over.
However the visitors' run was stopped by a Boyd penalty goal and finally Harris Tavita scampered across for his second as any faint hopes of a Roosters comeback faded in the final minutes.
The Warriors scored another long-range try in the other corner, this time to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, which was duly converted by Boyd - his sixth from seven attempts.
DCE reflects on Roosters allowing Warriors to score 40 points in 2026 season opener | Warriors Live
