The Sydney Roosters won their first Premiership since 1975 when they beat the New Zealand Warriors in a thrilling NRL Grand Final.

Roosters' captain Brad Fittler provided the inspiration, while Craig Fitzgibbon was the star performer with one try and five conversions.

Shannon Hegarty, Craig Wing, Chris Flannery and Bryan Fletcher scored the Roosters' other tries.

It was a pulsating match as the league's best defensive team, the Roosters, came up against its most flamboyant, the Warriors.

The Roosters launched a succession of big kicks throughout the first half as they attempted to break down the Warriors' defence.

With the New Zealand side's passes failing to stick, the Roosters continued to press forward and a period of relentless pressure resulted in Justin Hodges coming close for the Roosters.

But the Warriors were relieved to see the video referee judge that Richard Villasanti's last-ditch tackle was enough to force Hodges' attempted try just short.

Three minutes later there was no doubt as Shannon Hegarty capped a tremendous Roosters move with the first-half's only try.

Fittler burst through the Warriors defence after Stacey Jones' banana kick went astray, before releasing Brett Mullins.

The captain stormed down the left wing and found Shannon Hegarty on the outside to cap a superb first-half performance with the try.

Fitzgibbon successfully kicked the conversion to put the Roosters into a 6-0 lead.