The Sydney Roosters' scratchy start to the year continued in Auckland on Saturday night when the 2010 NRL grand finalists fell 24-12 to a determined Warriors side.

After pounding the Wests Tigers last week for their third win, the Roosters were heavily favoured to go 4-1 for the season in Heritage Round.

But the Warriors scored four tries to two at Mt Smart Stadium and looked every bit the side that broke their three-loss 2011 campaign against Cronulla last week.

And they displayed intent and guts to battle on with a three-man bench after losing up-and-coming fullback Glen Fisiiahi in the 34th minute.

The Roosters, who slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat to the Warriors, made 18 costly errors, fell off 26 tackles and completed less than 60 per cent of their sets, which irked coach Brain Smith.

"We didn't deliver the money's worth for the people here tonight or the people at home," Smith lamented.

"It's what I'd describe as a pretty loose performance."

Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored a stunning length-of-the-field try but the Warriors' off-season recruits cooked up an immediate response.

In a highlight of another mixed performance, Eels convert Feleti Mateo, at standoff and not a renowned kicker, produced a deft, inch-perfect left-foot dab for Krisnan Inu to collect.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary felt Mateo's role was still "a work in progress".

"He's still finding his way in the team. He's playing a new position but he certainly creates some things," Cleary said.

"That's why we got him here. I think it's a bit of a time thing for him and the team."

The brutal contest produced some thundering hits, none more bone jarring than two shots from lock Nate Myles on former Queensland State of Origin teammate Jacob Lillyman.

After some exciting touches, Fisiiahi winced in pain after a sickening tackle saw the fullback carried from the field six minutes out from the interval.

The 20-year-old junior sensation with sublime speed was bent backwards in a Braith Anasta-Justin Carney tackle.

Initial fears were a high ankle strain, which could rule him out for six weeks.

Fisiiahi had an unforgettable NRL debut at Eden Park against Parramatta in Round One, but his two tries in the Warriors' win over the Sharks hinted at his untapped talent.

Lewis Brown stole a 10-6 halftime lead and, after a two-week exile on the back of poor form, 27-Test veteran Lance Hohaia proved a point by pushing off Anasta in the act of his 50th try for the club.

Hohaia was a late bench recall for winger Kevin Locke, who turned out for NSW Cup side the Auckland Vulcans after being investigation for alleged sexual assault during the week.

Anasta could not explain his team's poor night at the office.

"I wish I knew the answer," the skipper said. "We just couldn't seem to get it right.

"We had a game plan and we didn't go nowhere near it from the get go.

"I was concerned from the first five or 10 minutes."

Pearce's late try gave the Roosters hope but Berrigan sealed the match and Maloney's penalty finished the job.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP