One win doesn't make a season. That's the message coming out of Mt Smart on Wednesday.
If NZ Warriors were in any danger of getting carried away by Friday's victory over Newcastle Knights, coach Andrew Webster has let the team know they have plenty to improve on.
Mt Smart itself may be showing the after-effects of Tuesday's Harry Styles concert, but the Warriors certainly aren't in party mode after their round one win.
"We understand it's one game," said Webster. "The second thing is we've got lots to work on.
"We've got so much to improve on."
Webster has been particularly clear about one area.
"Just our starts," he continued. "[In] the first half, and the second half, we just let them jump out to a lead on us."
And it seems the players heard that message loud and clear.
"Probably our starts to both halves," answered Mitchell Barnett when asked what needed improvement.
"I think the starts to the first half, and second half," concurred Brayden Wiliame.
"It was about the starts of our games, of our halves to be honest," added Bunty Afoa.
But while the Warriors' start wasn't perfect - it was a lot better than their next opponents.
Sydney Roosters were soundly beaten 28-18 by Recliffe Dolphins, but Webster's wary of the wounded Chooks.
"Good teams get beaten, and they're always hungry," he said. "I'm sure, like us, they're going to have things they want to improve on."
And with the Roosters looking to rebound, Webster wants the Warriors to be ready right from the start.
"If you reflect on the fact that our starts were poor, and they're going to jump out of the ground, we'd better be ready.
"No one's going to remember round one if we have a poor season."
Because in the NRL, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
