Injury mars Roosters' big start to NRLW title defence
The 24-year-old Fiji international scored all three of her tries in the first half off the back of cut-out passes from teammates Jasmin Strange (twice) and halfback Jocelyn Kelleher.
Naividi also led her side in tackle breaks with 10.
But the six tries-to-one win was soured with a serious right elbow injury to NSW Origin winger Jayme Fressard as she was attempting to plant the ball in the north-west corner of Allianz Stadium in the 51st minute of Sunday's match.
"She has a dislocated elbow so it's not looking great for her at the moment. We'll just have to see what happens," coach John Strange said on how long Fressard would be on the sidelines.
Highlights for the Warriors were few on the scoreboard but they showed plenty of spark in attack off the back of halves Emily Curtain and Patricia Maliepo.
A 14-time Zealand Ferns rugby international, Maliepo was on debut and both scored and converted the first Warriors try since 2020, which was the last NRLW season the Auckland club competed.
Patricia Maliepo fights her way to the line! 💪 pic.twitter.com/RiDB4bRQpG
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) July 6, 2025
"I thought we were courageous, determined, full of resolve," Warriors coach Ron Griffith said.
"Seventh-five per cent of our players haven't played NRLW before, we have five rugby union players, we didn't have a trial game, and they just kept turning up for each other."
But it was the four tries in the opening 35 minutes – the other was by Fressard – that had the Warriors chasing hard as they headed to the sheds down 18-6 at halftime.
That task became a little harder early in the second half, when prop and former Newcastle Knight Rima Butler was rewarded for her seven tackle-busts by scoring her first try in Roosters colours (24-6).
A try to Dally M medallist Olivia Kernick in the 53rd minute and there was no coming back.
The Roosters take on a Dragons outfit full of confidence at Jubilee Stadium next week after the Red V's 36-14 win over the Raiders yesterday.
But the Tricolours will still be without their Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken (shoulder) who is still three to four weeks away.
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