NRL: Vatuvei sorry for 'sh*t game'

Manu Vatuvei. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei apologised on Sunday for his performance in his team's 40-10 thrashing by Brisbane in their NRL qualifying final.

The powerhouse Kiwi international had a horror night under the high ball, producing five costly errors in the heavy loss at Suncorp Stadium.

"Thanks to everyone for there (sic) support but just (want to) apologize for my sh*t game,'' Vatuvei wrote on Twitter.

"Hope I get another chance to redeem myself and earn the respect.''

It was the type of performance not seen from Vatuvei since a disastrous night at Parramatta Stadium in 2007 where he made six errors - three of which led directly to tries.

"I let the team down and I'll take that one on the chin, hopefully we get a second chance and I can prove my loyalty to the team,'' Vatuvei said after the Broncos loss.

Rugby league great Andrew Johns said it was Vatuvei's ability to bounce back from mistakes which made him such a popular figure in the game - and tipped `The Beast' to return to bounce back immediately to his tackle-busting best.

"He's got one of these in him a year Manu. I suppose that's the reason why everyone loves him, because he's got an error or two in him and he can smile about it,'' Johns told the Nine Network's Sunday Footy Show.

"I felt sorry for Manu ... I hope he bounces back and gets man of the match next week.''

- AAP