First-up defeat was not helped by some awful refereeing decisions

Jerome Ropati was outstanding against the Eels but illness nearly kept him sidelined.

Warrior Isaac John says it will be need to be a team effort to stop Tigers star Benji Marshall on Saturday night.

Saturday night wasn't the first time Eels wing Etu Uaisele has tried his Beast-busting tackling technique on Manu Vatuvei.

The Warriors last night received a double whammy of bad news.

It's backs-to-the-wall time already for the Warriors just one game into the NRL season.

Warriors lose more than a game with Manu Vatuvei set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

Join us at nzherald.co.nz for live scoring of tonight's NRL and Super 15 matches.

A late fightback by the New Zealand Warriors failed to carry them home as an efficient Parramatta side held on for a 24-18 victory.

Good recruiting and talent production have set the team up well for a great performance this season

Returning to the field, Manu Vatuvei feels under pressure to prove himself

New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has handed Glen Fisiiahi his NRL debut against the Eels at Eden Park on Saturday night.

His broken arm has healed, his hamstrings are fine but Warriors talisman Manu Vatuvei's dicky knees may still be a problem in 2011.

Warriors captain Simon Mannering and fullback Lance Hohaia will make their first appearances of the year on Saturday.