Can the Roosters recover from their “terrible footy”, without Origin stars, and beat Warriors at home?

The performance against the Sharks was the worst since coach Trent Robinson’s arrival in 2013. Even our second worst performance would have been enough to get the points.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: The Roosters look dejected after a Sharks try during the round 13 NRL match between the Sharks and the Roosters at Remondis Stadium on June 7, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The performance against the Sharks was in my eyes the worst since coach Trent Robinson’s arrival in 2013. Even our second worst performance would have been enough to get the points over a very ordinary Sharks outfit.

The Roosters never got out of second gear in what was a very uninspiring display. Robinson even described as “terrible … terrible footy”. He wasn’t far off the mark.

Rooster Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is ground into the turf against the Sharks. Picture: Brett Costello

This week the Chooks get the opportunity to erase the memories when they take on the New Zealand Warriors in New Zealand.

It will be a serious examination in a very hostile environment. Not only will the Roosters be taking on a team coming off a heavy loss, but will be doing so with a seriously weakened line up.

With four players unavailable because of next week’s State of Origin, the task has been made even more difficult. The Warriors will field a formidable forward pack while the Roosters will be without two of their best forwards in Cordner and Guerra.

A few weeks ago I wrote about my concerns for this match and how important these points would be. Well, after losing to the Sharks, this match is now close to a must win if we are to finish in the top four in 2015.

A group of dejected Roosters after losing to the Sharks in NRL round 13. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

These two teams have played some classic matches over the years, and from a Roosters perspective none is more memorable than the 2002 Grand Final.

It was one of the most brutal deciders in recent memory, with the Roosters prevailing courtesy of the great Brad Fittler. Since then there have been other fiercely contested matches, most of them over in New Zealand. This is what worries me about this weekend’s match.

Flashback to October 6, 2002 and Brad Fittler, Luke Ricketson and Brett Mullins hold up the NRL trophy. Picture: Lindsay Moller.

The one thing that is concerning at the moment is the amount of close games the team have lost when they were there for the taking.

In fact, the Roosters have a case for winning every game they have lost this season. Each time it was a lack of composure right when it mattered most. This is a major concern as we can expect close matches in all finals.

The Roosters are fortunate that they have experienced players in key positions. Let’s just hope that those close losses have been weeded out and that these will soon turn into wins.

Easts to win.