Andrew McFadden’s team are anything but road warriors and will need to learn to win in NSW if they are to ever lift the NRL trophy.

The Auckland-based Warriors’ horrible record in the state continued on Saturday when they lost their season opener 24-14 to Newcastle at Hunter Stadium.

The Warriors went winless in their five matches in NSW last year and have not tasted victory in Blues territory since July 2013.

Boasting Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson and having signed NSW representative Ryan Hoffman from the Storm, many were tipping 2015 to be the year the Warriors finally shook off their Jekyll and Hyde reputation.

But their away form must remain a serious concern for coach McFadden after they won just four of 12 matches on the road last year.

Against the Knights they were up 14-6 at halftime but wilted in the afternoon heat in Newcastle.

The Knights even snatched the lead when they were down a man – following the sin-binning of David Fa’alogo – leading McFadden to declare they lacked composure.

“We went for the kill when we didn’t need to,” he said.

“We needed to be measured with our play and we just went for the big knock-out punch and we made errors and just allowed them to get back into it.”

The Warriors were dealt a blow before the match with fullback Sam Tomkins ruled out with a hamstring injury only for his replacement Ken Maumalo to be struck down with the same problem.

Tuimoala Lolohea was shifted to No.1 and was a standout on in his fourth match of first grade.

Their backline had to be further reshuffled midway through the first half when Konrad Hurrell came off with an ankle injury.

He is expected to be fit for next week but was spotted on crutches in the sheds post-game.

“The way we stuck to it was pretty impressive,” McFadden said.

“When we finally got the momentum and the opportunity we weren’t composed enough to take it.”

WARRIORS’ RECORD IN NSW SINCE 2013

2013

*R1 – Loss v Parramatta 40-10

*R3 – Loss v Cronulla 28-4

*R10 – Loss v Penrith 62-6

*R14 – Win v Sydney Roosters 23-12

*R19 – Win v Wests Tigers 24-14

*R22 – Loss v Manly 27-12

*R26 – Loss v St George Illawarra 19-10

2014

*R1 – Loss v Parramatta 26-16

*R5 – Loss v Cronulla 37-6

*R7 – Loss v St George Illawarra 20-10

*R16 – Loss v Newcastle 28-22

*R26 – Loss v Penrith 22-6

2015

*R1 – Loss v Newcastle 24-14