The Warriors kick off their 2015 NRL championship, going down 24-14 to the Newcastle Knights

It was the same old, same old for the new-look Warriors at Hunter Stadium tonight as Newcastle joined the growing list of opponents to benefit from opening their campaign against one of the NRL's notoriously slow starters.

Striving to win their first opening round clash since Parramatta were beaten in 2009, the Warriors instead succumbed 24-14 after being held scoreless throughout a second half where their discipline and kicking game deteriorated as the Knights laid on three unanswered tries.

Since that 26-18 victory at Mt Smart against the Eels, the Gold Coast, Manly and the Eels again - on three occasions - have conspired to condemn the Warriors to opening round defeats.

Getty Images SLOW START: Tuimoala Lolohea is taken in a tackle during the Warriors opening round loss to the Knights in Newcastle.

The Eels were particularly severe in 2013-14, inflicting 30 and 20-point defeats respectively; at least Newcastle were made to labour for their win, although the Warriors will rue a second half effort that included 10 minutes with a numerical advantage.

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden agreed the team only had themselves to blame for being unable to win in Newcastle.



"That's a fair assessment. It's extremely disappointing. We blew it. We had a huge opportunity and we just lacked that composure," he said.



Ironically the sinbinning of David Fa'alogo in the 49th minute for a professional foul proved the momentum shifter as the Knights responded with tries to Dane Gagai, Tyler Randell and Robbie Rochow.

"We just overplayed our hand. We went for the kill but we didn't need to," McFadden added. "We needed to be a little bit more measured with our play. We went for the big knockout punch and we made errors and allowed them to get back into it.



"When we finally got the momentum and opportunity we weren't good enough to take it. If we'd been a little smarter we'd have got away with that one."

Initially the Warriors responded to adversity when Konrad Hurrell and Thomas Leuluai were temporarily lost to injury while debuting forwards Albert Vete and Sam Lisone also made meaningful contributions. Hurrell left the ground with the assistance of a crutch and is in doubt for Sunday's visit to Canberra, though on a positive note Sam Tomkins is expected to be available.

Marquee recruit Ryan Hoffman's class was immediately apparent and makeshift fullback Tuimoala Lolohea proved an impressive stand in for a hamstrung Tomkins, particularly in the first half.

However, reigning player of the year Shaun Johnson encapsulated the Warriors' malaise as he barely featured when the Knights applied the heat.

"I thought he was disappointing. In the big moments at the end he needed to come up with a bit better," said McFadden, who added "certain individuals missed their assignments when we needed them."

Although they played with a breeze at their backs, the Warriors were up against it for the bulk of the opening half until five-eighth Chad Townsend peeled off a 40/20 which initiated a controversial eight-point try that cancelled out Gagai's ninth-minute opener.

Facing rare defensive pressure the Knights conceded a penalty, prompting Hoffman to quick tap and be held up short before play went left and Suaia Matagi put Leuluai through a gap to score close to the posts in the 28th minute.

The Warriors' starting hooker left the field with minimal celebrations after being opened up above his right eye by Tyrone Roberts' knee - a collision deemed deliberate by video referees Steve Clark and Steve Folkes.

Roberts was placed on report for what appeared to be accidental contact before Johnson converted Leuluai's try and potted a penalty from in front of the posts.

Despite his injury, Leuluai's try buoyed a Warriors side that also had to compensate for the loss of damaging centre Konrad Hurrell to a knee injury. Hurrell was favouring his left leg after his first carry and eventually retreated inside the opening quarter, forcing another backline reshuffle.

Simon Mannering moved from lock to centre and although the captain lacked Hurrell's game-breaking ability, his defensive capabilities were crucial when he forced Joey Leilua into touch as the Knights sought to regain the lead five minutes from the break.

Soon after Manu Vatuvei made a 50-metre burst after Lolohea fielded a grubber and opted against launching his own counter attack.

Townsend maintained the momentum and then Hoffman pirouetted and powered through the tackle of Beau Scott to extend the Warriors' lead on the brink of halftime.

The Warriors received an early leg up in the second half when Hurrell made an improbable return, and Fa'alogo paid the penalty for impeding Nathan Friend at a close range play-the-ball.

But it was the Knights' turn to respond to setbacks and they did so emphatically to mark coach Rick Stone's return to the top job.

Newcastle Knights 24 (Dane Gagai 2, Tyler Randell, Robbie Rochow tries; Randell goal; Tyrone Roberts 3 goals) NZ Warriors 14 (Thomas Leuluai, Ryan Hoffman tries; Shaun Johnson 3 goals). Halftime: 14-6