NZ Warriors have again shown they're a different side to years past, after a courageous Anzac Day defeat to Melbourne Storm.
With more than history against them, they were resolute in the face of a growing injury toll and tough officiating. The eight-point loss is in stark contrast to the 70-10 drubbing in the same fixture last year, a historic low for the club.
Despite that, the Warriors refuse to buy into their own hype and expect more from themselves.
Coach Andrew Webster warns his team of being "too proud" of the defeat, while halfback Dylan Walker is disappointed in their inability to close out the game.
The Warriors led by 10 points with just over 30 minutes left, but were left scrambling for reserves with injuries and a sin-binning making their task that much harder.
Captain Tohu Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Bayley Sironen and Jazz Tevaga all went down, with Walker shown his marching orders for a head-slam tackle.
Walker doesn't agree with the referee's call, but refuses to use it or the injuries as an excuse for the defeat.
He also believes their past run of horrid results shouldn't be used as a measuring stick for this year's success.
"I personally don't think there was any malice towards it, but the referee has to make a decision," Walker told Newshub. "We had a few boys go down, but just no excuses for simple stuff that we let in our game.
"Giving them six again on tackle four, just giving them the extra set... we just have to work on those things and be more disciplined.
"It hurts. That was there for the taking, we had all the momentum, it's just disappointing.
"The past is the past, this is a new team. I'm burnt, I'm filthy we lost tonight, just a few errors we need to tidy up."
The Warriors are expected to be without their injured quartet for their clash against the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart on Sunday, while Walker faces a minimum two-week suspension for his dangerous contact.
The ninth-placed Roosters edged St George Dragons 27-26 in the other Anzac Day match.
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