The Warriors have been thrashed 46-12 by the Manly Sea Eagles, as competitive sport returned to Christchurch.
Coming into this afternoon's clash in Christchurch, the Warriors were looking to rebound from last week's 34-6 drubbing at the hands of the Wests Tigers in Sydney last week.
The Sea Eagles meanwhile, entered the match winless - yet to taste victory since the re-appointment of coach Des Hasler in the off-season.
Both sides observed a tribute to Christchurch, today's clash the first major sporting event in the city since the March 15 shootings that left 50 dead and dozens more injured after a gunman opened fire on two separate mosques.
The Warriors came soaring out of the blocks, with Isaiah Papali'i executing a perfect chip and chase, capitalising on an error from Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic to open the scoring in the third minute. Adam Keighran added the extras for a 6-0 lead.
Trbojevic would respond in style though, catching the Warriors' defence napping at the other end to score his sixth try in six matches against the Kiwi side, beating three defenders close to the line to put the Sea Eagles on the scoreboard.
The Sea Eagles would then take the lead just minutes later, Trbojevic this time playing provider to set up Daly Cherry-Evans for Manly's second try of the game. Cherry-Evans converting his own try to give Manly a 12-6 lead.
Joel Thompson would add the Sea Eagles' third try in seven minutes, beating both Solomone Kata and David Fusitu'a to score, the bunker confirming the inevitable as the Warriors defence crumbled again.
The Warriors would stem the tide of Sea Eagles tries though, Issac Luke crashing over for his first points of 2019, Keighran's conversion again successful to close the scores to 18-12 in Manly's favour.
However, the respite wouldn't last long to the Warriors, as Manase Fainu managed to score the Sea Eagles' fourth try of the first half, Manly taking a 24-12 advantage into the break.
Manly didn't relent in the second half, resisting a series of Warriors assaults on their line, before Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans combined once again, with a penalty four minutes later ballooning the lead out to 30-12.
Trbojevic would then have his second, capitalising on more lacklustre Warriors defending to slink over from close range.
The Sea Eagles passed 40 points heading into the final 10 minutes, Jorge Taufua crossing over out wide after a textbook overlap on the Warriors' right edge.
The Warriors looked to have scored a late consolation try, with Trbojevic's missed in-goal clearance pounced on by Ken Maumalo and scored by Keighran, only to have seen Peta Hiku with the faintest of knock-ons.
To rub salt in the wounds, winger Reuben Garrick scored pounced on a failed knock back from Maumalo, scoring his first career try to bring the scoring to a close.
The win lifts the Sea Eagles from 14th temporarily into seventh on points differential, while the Warriors take their place in 14th.
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