Victorious Warriors NRLW coach Luisa Avaiki believes her side's impressive victory over the Roosters on Saturday afternoon is the start of bigger and better things.
Led superbly by halfback Charntay Poko, the Warriors scored three tries to two at AAMI Park in Melbourne to upset the Roosters 16-12 in the opening game of the new NRLW season.
Avaiki was thrilled with the performance of her players and sees no reason why the Warriors can't go all the way this year and claim the NRLW premiership.
"We are not looking too far ahead but we have come with the attitude and mentality that we want to win and we want to compete to win everything," Avaiki said.
"I have asked the girls not to focus on the result and there is a process to getting there.
"Today was the first step towards that."
While Poko scored one of the Warriors' three tries on Saturday, it was her kicking game and decision making on the final tackle that really stood out to Avaiki.
Poko dives over to secure the lead for the Warriors
"She will definitely attract more attention after today," Avaiki said.
"She had some injuries that kept her out of the competition last year, so it's been a long time coming
"She has got a very good boot and we are lucky to have her."
Roosters coach Rick Stone was disappointed with the result but remains confident his side can bounce back when they take on the Broncos next week.
"There is a bit of a build-up to the first game, only being three rounds you don’t want to win your first one,” Stone said.
Warriors extend lead with set piece special
"We didn't show our best today, but it is on again next week."
Stone bemoaned the loss of Hannah Southwell after the second-rower was concussed in a tackle during the opening half and unable to return to the field after the break.
"That is the kind of adversity you have to overcome," he noted.
"One thing I did find was that our girls were gassed pretty early.
"I didn’t expect to use as many interchanges ... we were using a lot of energy defensively and we have got to rectify that."
