NRL: Magic Johnson leads Warriors over Storm

David Fusitu'a of the Warriors scores a try in the corner. Photo / Getty

Warriors 28
Storm 14
An understrength Warriors side produced the composure needed to continue their confident climb towards the NRL finals by repelling a determined Melbourne Storm at Mt Smart Stadium today.

With Konrad Hurrell (shoulder) and Ryan Hoffman (calf) already out with injury, the Warriors suffered a further blow in the lead-up when a nagging shoulder problem confined Manu Vatuvei to the sidelines.

However, strong performances from replacements David Fusitu'a, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Jonathan Wright, and another brilliant display from Shaun Johnson, helped the Warriors clinch a third straight win and their first victory over a side ranked above them this season.

The No7 was at his running best throughout, taunting the Storm defence with his speed, elusiveness and sleight of hand, to feature in each of the Warriors' first four tries, but it was his calmness under pressure and a dazzling individual try late in the game that allowed his side to get home.

The result saw them leapfrog the Storm, Rabbitohs and Dragons into fourth place, while extending the visitors' losing run to four matches.

"It was a real challenge [coping with injuries] but we want to be a tough footy side that handles those sorts of things," said coach Andrew McFadden.

"It's a positive that we can handle that most definitely. We'll get a lot of confidence out of that one.

"We played a pretty good first 40 minutes, pretty controlled but we gave them a sniff early in that second-half but what was most pleasing is we really steadied the ship and finished the game off."

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Tries to Tui Lolohea, Fusitu'a and Bodene Thompson helped the Warriors to a 16-0 halftime lead before a compelling and see-sawing second-half unfolded.

A resurgent Storm roared out of the sheds with tries to Marika Koroibete and Kenny Bromwich putting them within eight points, before the Warriors hit back with one of the tries of the season.

The movement began when Nathan Friend climbed high to field a Chad Townsend bomb and miraculously managed to pass between his legs as he was upended, finding Sam Tomkins before Johnson flicked a no-look ball back to the fullback with quick hands from Fusitu'a giving Lolohea his second. The Storm kept coming and Bromwich claimed a second try, but the Warriors regained their focus, with Johnson's converted try restoring a 12-point margin before a penalty goal capped the scoring six minutes from fulltime.

The lapses in concentration and rising error count at the start of the second-half was a concern, McFadden said, but determination in defence and the ability to regain their composure were huge positives.

"We knew the Storm wouldn't go away," he said. "I'm a little disappointed about that first 15 minutes in the second-half. We'll address that but very pleasing to hold them to 14 points."

A dejected Melbourne captain, Cameron Smith, who endured a tumultuous week at the forefront of both the Alex McKinnon controversy and Queensland's State of Origin series win, was reluctant to comment on the distractions that plagued him throughout the build-up.

"You've got to re-adjust quickly to come back to club football but the personal stuff going on will be handled privately," Smith said before the press conference was called to an abrupt end.

The Warriors next take on the third ranked Roosters in Sydney next Sunday.

Warriors 28 (Lolohea 2, Fusitu'a, Thompson, Johnson tries, Johnson 3 cons, 1 pens)

Storm 14 (Koroibete, Bromwich 2 tries, Smith 1 con)