The Warriors might not have set the world on fire but they did bank two vital competition points and got their season off to a winning start with a 26-22 win over the Newcastle Knights.
What is obvious is that this side will score plenty of tries and push the best sides in the competition if they can consistently win the play-the-ball battle or at least achieve parity there more than not. Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke showed glimpses of what they can do with quality ball but they need it on a regular basis to create trouble for opponents.
The concern was the fact the Warriors forwards weren't able to achieve parity against a young Knights pack for large portions of the game. When that doesn't happen the Warriors look like a one dimensional team and the likes of Johnson, Tuivasa-Sheck and Luke will attempt to create things when it isn't really on and that just produces mistakes.
The injuries to Simon Mannering and Luke will be of concern for coach Stephen Kearney - he cannot afford to be without either player if he hopes to beat the better sides in this competition.
Still getting the monkey of not winning on opening day since 2009 off their backs will be a great relief.
