Ronald Volkman produced a masterful halfback’s display in atrocious conditions to guide the One New Zealand Warriors to an impressive 34-22 win over the Sydney Roosters in today’s ninth-round New South Wales Cup encounter at Mount Smart Stadium.
The home side fell 6-18 behind after 28 minutes but trimmed the deficit to 16-18 at halftime and then took control with an outstanding second half performance.
Throughout the contest Volkman was the key with a pinpoint kicking game tailor-made for the conditions. He had a hand in almost everything the side did on attack, finishing with three try assists and kicking five goals from seven attempts taking him beyond 100 points for the season.
After opening the scoring with the first of two tries to winger Moala Graham-Taufa after just 10 minutes, the One New Zealand Warriors were under pump as the Roosters dominated field position playing with the strong win. In quick order they produced three tries to take an 18-6 lead.
But the home side quickly seized the momentum with tries to Nick Halalilo and Taufa-Graham to bite right back into the battle.
Two points behind the One New Zealand Warriors worked tries to centre Ali Leiataua and back rower Leka Halasima to take a 28-18 lead after 54 minutes.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
1st Position
away Team
Roosters
11th Position
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
The Roosters closed to 22-28 before Eiden Ackland put his side 34-22 ahead.
The seventh win from nine starts enabled the One New Zealand Warriors to move back to the top of the ladder on 14 points with the most points scored (300) and the best for and against points difference (132).
They’re away to third-placed North Sydney next weekend.
Match details
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
One New Zealand Warriors 34 (Moala Graham-Taufa 2, Nick Halalilo, Leka Halasima, Ali Leiataua, Eiden Ackland tries; Ronald Volkman 5 conversions).
Sydney Roosters 22 (Sam Walker, Allan Fitzgibbon, Tyler Moriarty, Tyrell Neiufi tries; Sam Walker conversion, penalty; Sandon Smith conversion).
Halftime: 18-16 Roosters.
One New Zealand Warriors | Geronimo Doyle; Moala Graham-Taufa, Ali Leiataua, Ben Farr, Sanele Aukusitino; Eiden Ackland, Ronald Volkman; Zyon Maiu’u, Paul Roache, Isaiah Vagana; Leka Halasima, Maia Sands; Michael Sio (c). Interchange: Nick Halalilo, Patrick Vaivai, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Mosese Faeamani.
