The New Zealand Warriors have been beaten 30-14 by the Melbourne Storm in their National Rugby League clash in Melbourne to fall to their second straight defeat.
The Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei makes a break. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Storm skipper Cameron Smith said mid-week his team's form was good enough to be sitting alongside the competition front-runners and they certainly played like that.
They ran in five tries, with the Fijian Marika Koroibete scoring one in each half and setting up another.
The Warriors have an impressive record against the Storm, winning three of their last five meetings, and looked strong early on in front of a crowd of 18 thousand, with plenty barracking for the visitors.
In the first 15 minutes the Warriors had 65 per cent of possession, but had nothing to show for it.
The Storm led 12-4 at half-time after a late effort by Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei, who somehow managed to ground the ball carrying four Storm players across the line.
Nathan Friend and Sebastine Ikahihifo scored second half tries for the Warriors.
A frustrated Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said they made too many mistakes.
"I Certainly thought we turned up in terms of attitude but you can't win footy games if you drop that much ball and they obviously took their opportunities."
The Storm are 5th on the table and the Warriors 11th.
Souths, Brisbane and Newcastle top the standings.
Former Storm hardman turned Warrior Ryan Hoffman played his 250th NRL game.
