After five straight wins in the NRL the Warriors have fallen flat, slumping to a 27-18 loss to the Brisbane Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium - their first defeat this season.
They didn't have the spark that was evident during their winning run to start the season, as the under-strength Broncos showed absolute determination following back-to-back losses.
Brisbane dominated the battle in the middle of the park on a wet night in Auckland, running for more metres and breaking more tackles as they outscored the Warriors four tries to three.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Warriors coach Stephen Kearney conceded his team were not up to the challenge.
"I was pretty disappointed," he said. "I have to give credit to the Broncos - they came here with a real commitment and intent about them right from the outset, and we didn't match that.
"One thing about this game is when you're not there physically on attack and defence, it makes it for a tough day at the office, and I thought that was the case tonight."
Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck echoed Kearney.
"Usually we come out nice and calm and focussed on our goal. But we went into the first set with the physical battle we weren't responding, and we had too many moments of us not responding.
"When we did respond, we were able to score points, but there just wasn't enough during the whole game."
The Warriors lost forward Leivaha Pulu and centre Solomone Kata to injury during the match, and Kearney is expecting both to spend some time on the sidelines.
"Leivaha looks like he could be out for a bit. I'm not too sure exactly what it is, but he has been taken away to get some scans.
"With Solomone, we will have to check and see how he pulls up in the next 24 hours."
Next up for the Warriors will be their toughest challenge against the season when they host the unbeaten St George Illawarra Dragons on Friday night.
What will make the clash more challenging is the fact the Warriors have a horrid head-to-head record against the Dragons - having won only five of their 26 previous encounters.
In total, the Dragons have won 13 of the last 14 games dating back to 2007, with the Warriors' only win coming in 2016.
Kearney insisted his players would respond and put up a better fight against the high-flying Dragons.
"We have worked really hard over the first five weeks to put ourselves in this position, and we have responded every week thus far, so it is about preparing well to perform well.
"We have a tough challenge against a really good footy team on Friday night, so it is making sure that myself and the other coaches to put processes into place, so we go out there and put our best foot forward."
Newhsub.
