After Sunday's six point loss to the Titans at Skilled Park Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has admitted that switching off at crucial times cost his side a season opening win.
With a string of Gold Coast errors granting the Warriors possession, the Kiwi's streaked out to a 12-0 lead early in the first half courtesy of tries from wingers Manu Vatuvei and Kevin Locke.
Looking in total control, Vatuvei managed another before the break, however with 30 seconds left before half-time Titans second-rower Anthony Laffranchi took advantage of a Warriors lapse in concentration and cruised over the line to bring New Zealand back to within six points.
The momentum was enough for the home-side and after levelling the scores the Titans went on with the job, pint-sized full-back Preston Campbell diving under the posts to secure the win 10 minutes from time.
Asked if his side threw the match away Cleary said: "Possibly, I mean you know we could probably look back on the game and think we certainly could have done things better."
"There were some key moments, being up 12-0 and they get the ball back off a kick-off and score on that set before half time … we just fell asleep."
"18-6 or 18-12 at half time and it's a completely different ball game," a disappointed Cleary said.
The Warriors mentor also acknowledged that second half fitness proved to be a major factor in the loss with the Titans able to cope better as the match drew to a close.
"Probably in the second half when the fatigue factor set in they probably just handled it a little bit better than we did," he said
"Really there was nothing much in it, but I suppose at the end of the day they handled things a little bit better than what we did in the second half."
One positive to come out of the match for the Warriors was the debut of controversial former Shark Brett Seymour who was sacked by Cronulla back in 2009.
Seymour's first match for his new side showed signs of promise with the half-back playing a role in the Warriors second try, providing a deft chip to Locke in the corner and slotting home three out-of-three conversions.
"I thought he defended well and certainly kicked well, he'll get better. It was a big day for him today and it was a long time coming … lots of media, lots of talk across the off-season," Cleary said on Seymour's debut for the club.
"I'm sure in a way he'll be glad to get that one out of the way and for people to start talking about his football. He's carried a lot over a long period of time so I'm pretty happy with where he is at."
The Warriors will be looking to turn things around for Round 2 when they host Seymour's former side, with the clash shaping up to be an intriguing contest after the Sharks were narrowly defeated 14-10 by the Melbourne Storm on Saturday.