If the Warriors want an example in how to respond to a bad defeat, they need look no further than their next NRL opponents.
After falling to Parramatta 36-16 in disappointing fashion in round one, the Warriors host St George Illawarra at Eden Park on Saturday.
The Dragons headed into the new season on the back of a comprehensive 38-20 Charity Shield loss to South Sydney.
They rebounded by putting 40 points on Wests Tigers in a come-from-behind win last weekend and the match footage provided interesting viewing for Warriors coach Matthew Elliott.
“They obviously had an acute response to the Souths game,” he said.
“They learnt something from that trial match and they brought it into the competition game.”
Elliott pointed to the Dragons’ physical defence and the way they hung in until the tide of possession turned.
While new signing Gareth Widdop was an influential figure, Elliott was sure the England and former Melbourne half would give credit to the platform the forwards laid.
It’s an area Elliott is looking for improvement from with his own pack to put playmakers Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend and Sam Tomkins on the front foot.
“Some people have identified our halves and our fullback not playing like anticipated,” he said.
“Well, we didn’t do the stuff in front of them that was needed.”
The defeat to Parramatta was particularly deflating given the Warriors impressive 48-4 win over Brisbane in their final trial.
Elliott said there was plenty of effort against the Eels.
“But we didn’t play collectively and that hasn’t been seen all pre-season, so I was pretty shocked, to be honest,” he said.
“Disappointment is certainly one of the things we have had to deal with, but we can’t allow it to be anything else but a driving force.”
The Warriors also began 2013 with a heavy defeat to Parramatta in Elliot’s first match in charge, but he’s confident that’s where the comparisons end.
“This is completely different footy team – a complete different feel around them,” he said.
“We’re pretty peeved about what passed, but what we have to do is play how we’re capable of doing and we’ll let the result look after itself.”
If that result is a win, it will end a couple of unwelcome streaks for the Warriors.
They’ve had no success in three previous appearances at Eden Park and are on an eight-match losing run against the Dragons dating back to 2008.
The weather could have a major bearing on how the match unfolds, with Tropical Cyclone Lusi expected to bring high winds and heavy rain over the weekend.