The Warriors have begun their 2019 NRL campaign in style, running in seven tries to outclass the Bulldogs 40-6 at Mt Smart Stadium to sit on top of the NRL ladder.
With the Warriors giving away tickets to this afternoon's clash after yesterday's horrific attacks in Chirstchurch, both sides took to the field in front of a packed Mt Smart Stadium.
Ken Maumalo opened the scoring for the Warriors, latching onto a cross-field kick from halfback Blake Green, with the bunker eventually awarding a try.
New five-eighth Adam Keighran couldn't add the extras though, missing his first shot at goal in a Warriors jersey.
Solomone Kata was in next to score with Green again the provider, Keighran making no mistake with the boot this time, putting his side 10-0 ahead.
Keighran then showed why he's being backed to replace Shaun Johnson in the Warriors' spine, dancing through the Bulldogs' defence for his first Warriors try, his side's third of the first half.
Nathaniel Roache capped an impressive first half display, scoring the Warriors' fourth try, making the most of a rare start having missed 2018 through injury, the Warriors taking a 22-0 lead into the break.
After halftime, the Warriors carried on in fine fettle, with skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck picking up where he left off in 2018, slicing the Bulldogs apart with the same form that saw him named last year's Dally M medallist.
The Bulldogs would manage to pull a try back in an attempt to restore a bit of credibility to the scoreline, debutant winger Christian Crichton making the most of an overlap on the left edge to score.
Kata would have a double midway through the second half, the Warriors outclassing the Bulldogs to send the centre over for his second try of the match.
Keighran would then set up the Warriors' seventh try of the match, this time attacking down the left edge, Peta Hiku's effort pushing the lead out to 40-6 with more than 10 minutes left to play.
That would be it for the Warriors though, closing out the match to begin their 2019 campaign in style, temporarily sitting on top of the NRL ladder on points differential.
The Warriors will take confidence into their next match, facing the Wests Tigers away from home next week.
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