Round 11
New Zealand Warriors 12 l. Sydney Roosters 38

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Roosters end Warriors home record
Mon May 26, 2008
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

The Vodafone Warriors lost their perfect home record when a slick Sydney Roosters side cleared away for a 26-point win in their 11th-round NRL encounter at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.

A first half revival had enabled the Vodafone Warriors to recover from a 4-20 deficit to trail just 12-20 at halftime.

And the home side, seeking a fifth straight victory at Mt Smart Stadium this season, applied early pressure as it sought to further reduce the margin.

But the Roosters' defence couldn't be breached in that period before they countered with three converted tries to run away to a 38-12 win.

The match marked a successful return for captain Steve Price who led the Vodafone Warriors onto Mt Smart Stadium for the first time this season. He had been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since the opening round loss to the Storm in Melbourne on March 17.

Price played a total of 55 minutes in two stints, making 112 metres from 13 runs and also tallying 27 tackles.

He was confirmed as a starter on Saturday while there were also other forced changes to the line-up. With standoff Michael Witt still bothered by a hip flexor complaint, Jerome Ropati moved to the pivot position once again while second rower Simon Mannering was shifted to the centres. That allowed the experienced Logan Swann to start in the back row.

Winger Aidan Kirk, previously a reserve grader with the Roosters, scored his first NRL try in only his second appearance for the Vodafone Warriors while hooker Ian Henderson snared the home side's other try. Kirk hadn't played at NRL level since his debut against the Storm in March but he was impressive. While he scored once he very nearly had a spectacular second touchdown in the second half.

Henderson was again one of the Vodafone Warriors' best, sneaking across for his third try of the season.

Loose forward Micheal Luck, on then field for the full 80 minutes, finished with a game-high 48 tackles on a day when the Vodafone Warriors were required made 333 tackles in all.

Kiwi internationals dominated the visitors' list of try scorers with 2007 debutant Shaun Kenny-Dowall scoring three tries on the left wing and almost making it four. Another Kiwi Sam Perrett scored the last try of the match while Setaimata Sa, who debuted for New Zealand in this month's Centenary Test, also scored.

Match details:

At Mt Smart Stadium Auckland:
Vodafone Warriors 12 (Aidan Kirk, Ian Henderson tries; Lance Hohaia conversion, penalty).
Sydney Roosters 38 (Shaun Kenny-Dowall 3, Braith Anasta 2, Setaimata Sa, Sam Perrett tries; Braith Anasta 5 conversions).
Halftime: 20-12 Roosters.
Referee: Ben Cummins.
Crowd: 11,922.

News Source: www.warriors.co.nz


Warriors boosted by Price return for Roosters clash
Sat May 24, 2008
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

Vodafone Warriors captain Steve Price was today cleared to make his return from a long injury lay-off in tomorrow's 11th-round NRL clash against the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium.

Price (34) will lead the team for only the second time this season after being sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since the opening round loss to Melbourne on March 17.

Medical staff had indicated Price would be able to make his return in next weekend's away game against Newcastle but the NRL veteran convinced them he was ready to make his long-awaited comeback tomorrow.

He has completed all training sessions this week without any reaction from the injury and was cleared to play after this morning's final pre-match run.

Playing his 284th match, Price will wear the unfamiliar number of 26 on his jersey.

While Price makes his comeback, two players named in the original squad of 20 on Tuesday have now been ruled out.

Standoff Michael Witt is still troubled by a hip flexor problem that flared up after an unsuccessful penalty goal attempt against Canberra on May 4. And vice-captain Ruben Wiki has been forced out with a rib injury.

The final 17 will be confirmed an hour before kick-off from this squad of 19 players: Patrick Ah Van, Sonny Fai, Nathan Fien, Ian Henderson, Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Steve Price, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Grant Rovelli, Malo Solomona, Logan Swann, Brent Tate, Evarn Tuimavave.

News Source: www.warriors.co.nz

Advanced Search