THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V ROOSTERS

A grand final, the 'blackout' semi, buzzer-beaters and golden point - the Warriors' rivalry with the Roosters has been a doozy.

For a long time the Warriors were one of the few current teams without a losing record against Sydney Roosters, but a recent streak by the Tricolours has put them in front. The Roosters also proved too strong when the Auckland-based club qualified for a historic grand final appearance in 2002. The teams have produced many outstanding clashes since, however, and the Roosters’ strong Kiwi contingent has provided their rivalry with an extra edge.

Overall record: Played 48 – Sydney Roosters won 24, Warriors won 23, draws 1; Sydney Roosters scored 1,107 points, Warriors scored 828 points.
Biggest wins: Sydney Roosters – 58-6 at Sydney Football Stadium, 2004; Warriors – 42-16 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2006.
Longest winning streaks: Sydney Roosters – 8 matches (2018-24); Warriors – 5 matches (2008-11).
Finals: Played 2 – Sydney Roosters won 1, Warriors won 1.
Grand Finals: Played 1 – Sydney Roosters won 1.
Most appearances: Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 21; Mitch Aubusson (Sydney Roosters) – 20; Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters) – 20; Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters) – 18; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 18; Luke Ricketson (Sydney Roosters) – 17; Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters) – 17; Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters) – 16; Ben Matulino (Warriors) – 16; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 16.
Most tries: Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters) – 13; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 12; Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters) – 9; Jerome Ropati (Warriors) – 8; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 7; Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters) – 7.
Most points: Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters) – 112; James Maloney (Warriors and Sydney Roosters) – 71; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 56; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 56; Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters) – 52; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 48;  Braith Anasta (Sydney Roosters) – 44; Ivan Cleary (Sydney Roosters and Warriors) – 44.

1995-2002 – Warriors with the edge

The rebranded Sydney City Roosters had spent big and were beginning their climb back to respectability when the Auckland Warriors joined the premiership in 1995. Their first visit across the Tasman resulted in a 26-22 loss after they had led the Warriors 12-0 during the first half, while both sides ultimately finished tied with North Sydney for eighth spot but missed the finals on for-and-against.

The clubs traded wins for several seasons, neither side able to piece together consecutive victories despite the Roosters’ newfound heavyweight status and the Warriors’ struggles. The Warriors prevailed 26-16 in the opening round of 1999 in a fiery match that saw Ali Lauiti’iti sent off for a high tackle and Brad Fittler marched, and Andrew Walker and Tony Tuimavave sin-binned, for their roles in the ensuing wild brawl. Reaching the finals for the first time in 2001, the Warriors downed the Roosters – grand finalists a year earlier – at home and away, before notching a third straight win early in 2002.