As it happened: Roosters spoil Warriors return

Post match

Fulltime: The defending premiers the Roosters claim a strong 30-6 win over the Warriors, who are back in the NRLW competition for the first time since 2020. While it was an entertaining first half, things got a bit scrappy in the second half as fatigue played its part with a number of errors. Fiji winger Taina Naividi had a day out to remember, scoring three first half tries. The victory celebrations for the Roosters however was tempered by an injury to NSW winger Jayme Fressard who has a suspected elbow dislocation. 

Injury update: Roosters five-eighth Corban Baxter comes off the field for a HIA.

54th min: Last year's Dally M Medal winner Olivia Kernick is on the board, as once again her team capitalises on a Warriors errors where skipper Apii Nicholls misjudged a pass coming out of her own end that ends up out in touch. The Roosters attack, with Kernick throwing a dummy before running through. Kelleher converts for a 30-6 lead. 

52rd min: The Bunker overturns a try for the Roosters, with Fressard denied a second after Michaela Brake comes across and pushes her just over the line. Unfortunately for Fressard, she injures herself in her attempt to get the ball down, with concerns for her elbow.

36th min: An early error from the Warriors is punished with Rima Butler going over for the first try of the second half. A unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Warriors confirms possession for the Roosters who go direct, with the prop crashing through. The Bunker confirms the putdown and Kelleher converts from in front for a 24-6 lead. 

Halftime: The Roosters lead the Warriors 18-6 in what's been an entertaining game so far. The defending premiers have shown their class, but have been made to work by the spirited Warriors with 10 NRLW debutants in their side. The Roosters have had 60 percent of the possession with a 13/18 completion rate, compared to 11/15.  

33rd min: A first half hat-trick for Naividi! The Roosters are getting warmed up right before halftime with their fourth try. They set it up after forcing the Warriors back to get a goal-line drop out. Kelleher once more is off target and the score stays at 18-6. 

29 min: Naividi has a double after the Roosters make the most of back-to-back sets after a Warriors chargedown attempt goes straight back to their opposition. Isabelle Kelly sets up the opportunity with a run downfield before being brought down. Her side gets the ball out to their right once again and the winger finishes the job. Kelleher can't convert and it remains 14-6. 

24th min: The Warriors get on the board, capitalising on a penalty, with impressive five-eighth Patricia Maliepo getting her side's first points upon their re-inclusion into the competition, touching the ball down just on the line from a dummy half run. She converts her own try and they trail 10-6. 

17th min: Roosters go back-to-back and looked to have had some luck on their side after a kick can't be cleaned up by the Warriors, with the Roosters going out to their right this time with Taina Naividi scoring. Kelleher can't convert this one and the Roosters lead 10-0.

15th min: First points of the half go to the Roosters with representative winger Jayme Fressard going over on the far left. The Warriors are made to pay for an error in their own half, with the defending premiers swinging from one side of the field to the other to score. Jocelyn Kelleher swings the kick over the uprights to convert and it's 6-0 to the Roosters. 

Kick off: We have kick off in the historic match welcoming the Warriors back into the NRLW competition. These two teams first met in the inaugural season in 2018, opening that first season.

Late Mail

Roosters: Corban Baxter is set for her first NRLW match since September 2023 after she missed all of last season with an ACL injury. The veteran has been named at five-eighth, with Jocelyn Kelleher at halfback. Jillaroos and Queensland star Tarryn Aiken is out with a shoulder injury. Olivia Kernick will start at lock after a dominant performance for the Blues during the State of Origin series. NSW teammates Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly will again link up in the centres. Jasmin Strange has shifted from the outside backs to the back row as she takes on a new role this weekend. No late changes on game day.

Warriors: Fullback Apii Nicholls will lead the Warriors in their return to the competition, with Patricia Maliepo and Emily Curtain to combine in the halves. Olympic gold medallist Michaela Brake lines up on the wing in her NRLW debut. New Zealand star Laishon Albert-Jones has been named at lock after joining the Warriors from the Knights in the off-season. Mya Hill-Moana is unavailable after giving birth in April and Metanoia Fotu-Moala will miss the game as she is getting married this weekend. No late changes on game day.