Sydney Roosters

On a day the Roosters were celebrating their 2002 premiership victory with a host of old boys in the stands, the Tricolours weren't at their convincing best but did enough in the second half to secure the two competition points.

The Warriors shot out of the blocks early in the contest to set up an 8-0 lead with Addin Fonua-Blake busting the line to earn his side a penalty goal before Edward Kosi finished off a backline movement on the left edge inside 15 minutes.

Roosters five-eighth Sam Walker landed a sideline conversion to put his team ahead 18-16 just six minutes from fulltime after they had trailed 10-0 at the interval and then laid on the match winning try for second-rower Sitili Tupouniua.

Roosters centre Joey Manu scored two individual tries to get his team into the match, while Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs was equally as inspirational for his team.

Kevin Walters will be most concerned by his side's defence which has leaked nine tries in the past two games, and the Roosters' form against the Cowboys will give the Broncos mentor some sleepless nights this week.

Injuries to Albert Kelly and Pat Carrigan compounded the issues for the Broncos and their depth will be tested as they look to get things back on track at home.

The Roosters rolled into Townsville and produced some of their best footy of the season to send an ominous warning to all their rivals that a top-four finish is very much on their radar in 2022.

Prop Tom Gilbert, second-rower Griffin Neame and star halfback Chad Townsend all spent stints in the sin-bin as the Roosters ran in six tries-to-one with coach Trent Robinson watching from home after contracting COVID-19.

Assistant coaches Jason Ryles and Matt King oversaw the Roosters' best performance of the season, led by centre Joey Manu, who scored two tries and threw the final pass for two more.

After scoring just one try in their season opener against the Bulldogs, North Queensland have piled on 10 in the next two games, including four to gun back-rower Jeremiah Nanai.

With their kicking game on song and their speed men combining well out wide, the Cowboys were far too slick for Brisbane and they'll need to be on song again if they're to down one of the benchmark sides of the past decade.

With halves Sam Walker and Luke Keary combining brilliantly, the Roosters piled on four first half tries to lead 22-0 at the interval but the Sea Eagles never gave up to ensure a respectable fulltime scoreline.

It was the response Roosters coach Trent Robinson was seeking after last weekend's upset loss to Newcastle but Des Hasler would have been frustrated with a first half performance that mirrored last weekend's heavy defeat by Penrith. 

The Roosters kept most of their big guns on ice through the trials, with many of them working back from injury, and it showed in round one with the team struggling for rhythm against an energetic and disciplined Newcastle.

Manly took the opposite path, giving the likes of Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans big minutes in the pre-season but they still had no answers to a dominant Penrith side in round one. 

Newcastle dominated the match, making six line-breaks to nil and holding the Roosters tryless until four minutes before fulltime.

Five-eighth Jake Clifford was the star of the win but it was a team performance, with the back five of Kalyn Ponga (146m), Dominic Young (124m), Dane Gagai (200m), Bradman Best (146m) and Enari Tuala (109m) all running more than 100 metres with the ball.

Both sides were part of the finals action in 2021 but came up short of the ultimate prize as the grind of a long season took its toll, particularly at the Roosters, who dealt with all manner of adversity along the journey.

With two of their most influential players, Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins, back from knee reconstructions, the Roosters take on a formidable look, while the addition of Dane Gagai gives the Knights more strike power.

The Tigers trailed 8-0 early as Roosters halfback Sam Walker caused havoc but coach Michael Maguire would have been pleased by his side's defensive resolve before they piled on two late tries to snatch victory.

Rival props James Tamou and Lindsay Collins were placed on report for dangerous contact and are in doubt for the opening round.

However, there were no major injury concerns in an entertaining yet low scoring match, in which Walker, Joey Manu and Victor Radley impressed for the Roosters, while Jackson Hastings made a strong debut for the Tigers.