Execution was the word on Warriors coach Stephen Kearney's mind after his side's 8-2 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos in Auckland.
Despite having more sets with the ball than Brisbane, the Warriors failed to score a try for the first time since round 10 last year as the Broncos defence muscled up against the Kearney's men.
The Warriors had numerous changes, especially in the first half, but failed to convert as both teams headed into the sheds locked at 2-2 at the break.
A second-half try to Antony Milford proved the difference in the end at Mt Smart Stadium in front of 17,495 fans.
Kearney rued his team's inability to capitalise on their opportunities, although he conceded Brisbane were tough to crack defensively.
"We created enough opportunities, but I just thought our execution and detail in that area wasn't good enough," he said. "With the footy, we were nowhere near where we could be.
"They put you under pressure to execute, I thought we did enough to give ourselves some chances, but we weren't good enough to execute them.
"That's the disappointing part, it was a real arm-wrestle, a tough contest, and we just weren't quite good enough, execution-wise."
The fact the Warriors failed to execute on so many opportunities kept Brisbane in the match, and it eventually led to them kicking a penalty goal on the stroke of halftime to level the match, before Milford's try sealed the win.
"To go in [at halftime] at 2-2 was a win for us in some ways," said Broncos coach Anthony Seibold.
"We spoke about not giving them field position, but they were able to get that, and we had to work really hard defensively."
The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Warriors, who now head into their bye week with four wins and seven losses this season.
The week off will give the Warriors a chance to rest prepare for a tough second half of the season, with 10 of their last 13 games coming against teams who are currently sitting inside the top eight.
But Kearney isn't fazed by the tough run home.
"I think we've made some progress over the last couple of weeks," he said.
"A bit like tonight, I thought we had a month of footy where we done some really good things but didn't quite execute. A couple of games come to mind where we couldn't quite finish the contest off in our favour.
"I think we've made some ground, but we've got to set ourselves for the back end of the year."
Kearney also confirmed Jazz Tevaga has a high ankle sprain, which might keep the in-form utility forward out for a significant period.
The Warriors are back in action on June 8 against the Melbourne Storm.
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