Warriors’ loss no indicator of season ahead

OPINION: While conceding 30 points in a row was a disappointing aspect in the Warriors’ loss to the Storm on Saturday, it’s too early to make any assumptions about 2017.

As ever, Warriors results polarise views. There are those who say ‘here we go again’ and then there are others who only ever look at the positives.

So let’s examine that 30-18 defeat on the Sunshine Coast. A Warriors side missing Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Simon Mannering Bodene Thompson, Manu Vatuvei, Issac Luke and Sam Lisone played well for nearly all of the first half.

The Storm were missing Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Will Chambers, Tohu Harris, so neither side were at full strength, so that first half won’t have any relevance on what happens when the teams meet during the season.

It was a positive to see Roger Tuivasa-Sheck make some nice runs and there were a number of other Warriors players who had good performances.

For the second half the Warriors put out fringe players and reserves, as did the Storm, and were soundly beaten.

The Warriors have spent a lot of time thinking about how they break the habit off having dreadful starts to the season - resting most of their best players for the Auckland Nines was part of the plan to change that.

This trial against the Storm was another small step forwards in their preparations before playing the Knights in Auckland on March 5, but just a small one.

Next weekend’s game against the Titans in Palmerston North will be a much stronger indicator as it’s likely to be the time when Stephen Kearney brings out all of his big guns.

Even if they lost that one, there’s no point reaching for any panic buttons.