NRL: Unbalanced Warriors almost finished

Joel Moon scored the Warriors' only points during the team's 4-29 loss to the Dragons. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Warriors were left ruing their failure to capitalise on chances against National Rugby League leaders St George Illawarra today, as they went down to a defeat that virtually extinguishes their playoff hopes.

The Dragons scored five tries to one en route to a 29-4 victory in Auckland, a result that extended their margin at the top of the table to four points.

But defeat left the Warriors back in 13th spot, still five points outside the top eight, and with just six rounds to go.

The home side spent plenty of time in opposition territory late in the first half and during much of the second, but couldn't add to an early try to centre Joel Moon.

Skipper Steve Price said the Warriors didn't get the balance right between going forward and going wide when they had the ball.

The Dragons, for their part, did the little things well.

"We got a lot of mistakes out of them in the second half, but we just weren't able to build on that pressure and to convert it," Price said.

"They're a very good defensive side and you probably have to get it spot on."

Dragon coach Wayne Bennett described the game as one of two halves, with his side performing better in the first than the second.

Bennett also highlighted the defensive effort of his players, although it was something that was needed, given the mistakes they made.

"If you're going to turn the ball over cheaply like we did, then you have to turn up and defend," he said.

"Our defence was outstanding actually."

In a change to the advertised programme, former Warrior Nathan Fien started on the bench in his return to Mt Smart Stadium after his mid-season departure and had a generally quiet game.

The Dragons made a flying start, scoring on just their second possession.

A Jamie Soward bomb went loose and winger Brett Morris was on hand to dot down.

The Warriors struck back moments later with a superb move which ended with second rower Simon Mannering sending Moon crashing over.

But from there, the visitors began to pull away, with former Kiwi Chase Stanley playing a key role.

In the 15th minute, offloads by forwards Dan Hunt and Michael Weyman started a 70m attack that finished with Stanley running in Morris for his second try.

Stanley, a late replacement at centre for Matt Cooper, who was ruled out with an ankle problem, then became finisher, before Soward's third goal took the score to 18-4.

The Warriors were producing some expansive football, but found the well-marshalled Dragon defence tough to pierce.

Late in the half, they had four consecutive sets near the opposition goaline, but couldn't find a way through.

The Dragons came close to going further ahead through winger Wendell Sailor 10 minutes after the break.

Sailor, who minutes earlier had got the crowd going by waving to fans after collecting a kick in his own in-goal, strolled over the tryline, but the pass to him was ruled forward.

The Dragons did add to their tally halfway through the period when a grubber by Warrior hooker Ian Henderson was snapped up by Soward, who raced 95m to dot down.

Soward then rubbed salt in the wound with a field goal with two minutes to go, followed by a chip-and-regather that gave Boyd an easy try under the posts.

St George Illawarra Dragons 29 (Brett Morris 2, Chase Stanley, Jamie Soward, Darius Boyd tries; Soward 4 goals, field goal)

New Zealand Warriors 4 (Joel Moon try)

- NZPA