The Warriors have exorcised some long-term demons by ending an eight-game losing streak against Sydney Roosters with a 14-6 triumph in Auckland on Friday night.
It was the Warriors’ first victory against the Roosters since March, 2018.
The win came at a price, however, after the Warriors lost champion outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to a hamstring injury midway through the second half.
The Wahs overcame that setback, and a half-time deficit of 6-4, to post their second win in as many weeks – the perfect response to their first-up shocker against Canberra in Las Vegas.
Halves Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita were outstanding for the home team, as was centre Ali Leiataua, who scored a try in each half.
Roosters fans breathed a sigh of relief after Victor Radley passed a head-injury assessment and was cleared to resume playing in the first half.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suffered a hamstring injury against the Roosters.Credit: NRL Photos
Radley suffered a grade-one concussion in the season-opening thrashing from Brisbane and was automatically stood down for 11 days.
His return at Mt Smart Stadium lasted just 18 minutes before he attempted to tackle Warriors back-rower Marata Niukore and copped a hip to the side of the head.
The rugged lock, who has suffered multiple concussions in the past few seasons, was slow to regain his feet but passed his HIA and re-entered the match soon after being cleared.
There was no such reprieve for Roosters hooker Connor Watson, who was accidentally struck on the chin by the elbow of Warriors back-rower Jackson Ford in the last minute of the first half.
Watson appeared to have been knocked senseless and failed his HIA.
Given the disruption, the Roosters did well to lead 6-4 at half-time.
Their opening try came in the 22nd minute when in-form prop Naufahu Whyte charged over off a Watson dummy-half pass, spinning and powering through defenders.
The Warriors hit back four minutes later when a backline spread opened up enough of a gap for Leiataua to spear through.
The Roosters came within inches of scoring just before the break when centre Mark Nawaqanitawase produced a classic chip-and-chase effort, only to put a foot over the dead-ball line.
Harris-Tavia had more luck with his own chip-and-chase in the 65th minute, leaping above James Tedesco to regather, and then Leiataua gave his team some breathing space by stepping his way over 10 minutes from full-time.
The result lifted the Warriors to fifth on the ladder. The Roosters are in 14th position.
