Gauge games have not been too positive for Aotearoa Warriors in recent times, although 2021 is a bit different. Despite losing to Newcastle Knights these Warriors sat in a set for set grind and weren't going away. The Knights sealed a 20-16 win via a late try off Bradman Best's power and while that's the headline leaving the game, it was the Warriors who gifted the Knights a sniff of clinching the win.

That's the whole point here as the Knights are a few steps ahead of the Warriors on this journey. The Knights have worked themselves into the playoff spots and have more of these type of contests to call upon, it was the Knights who stuck in the set for set mode the longest based on that experience. The Warriors are trying to get to that point; their errors led directly to Knights points and after scoring tries easily to take the lead, the Warriors couldn't seal the deal.

Mind you, when the Knights scored the Warriors would bounce back.

Chanel Harris-Tavita's kick prior to Best's try comes to mind. Harris-Tavita squeezed out an awkward kick and from the Warriors 40m line, instead of forcing the Knights off their own try line the Knights were invited into good ball. The Warriors consistently pegged the Knights deep in their own territory and for Auckland's Starford To'a, this meant that he was consistently smashed in the early tackles.

When dealing in this top-eight business, the best teams maintain their style and system for the whole game. The Warriors dipped away from their best work for a few minutes at the end and the Knights pounced. One team's figuring all this out, the other team went through that experience in the last two seasons.

The clarity of what the Warriors are doing is still there.

Mitchell Pearce was always under immense pressure. Early tackles were dominated. The Warriors looked their best in the second half after a gritty first half.

Enjoying good ball early in the game, the Warriors couldn't put up early points against a settled Knights defence. Then came the grind and the Warriors scored easily with Ben Murdoch-Masila on the right edge via play-maker Tohu Harris...

The Warriors scored their second try with simple shape on a short-side. Eliesa Katoa ran a hard decoy line drawing in defenders, then Roger Tuivasa-Sheck got on the outside of his made to put Adam Pompey in a hole.

The third try was also lovely shape. Harris-Tavita at first receiver, Kodi NIkorima wrapping over to the left edge with three (Bunty Afoa, Katoa, Pompey) decoy runners to get Tuivasa-Sheck in a 2 vs 1 scenario with Ken Maumalo.

All of which feels funky considering that these came after the halves forced repeat sets and/or after a no-try. The Warriors halves forced repeat sets when they wanted and with slick plays, they scored tries when in good ball. Not overly complicated, just clear plans.

There is also a vibe from this Warriors team, going back to last week's idea of there being an identity or vibe that fans can feel and connect to. Everything feels clean, concise. Peta Hiku was fizzing on defence for 75mins. Wayde Egan's somehow getting through 80mins no matter how beat up he is. Addin Fonua-Blake genuinely appears to care.

Second week in a row with Fonua-Blake averaging 10m/run with plenty of runs.

Round 1: 19 runs for 202m @ 10.63m/run.

Round 2: 13 runs for 144m @ 11.07/run.

Tohu Harris threw 1 pass - the try assist.

Last week Jazz Tevaga, Murdoch-Masila and Afoa all averaged at least 10m/run. This week they did not and this is interesting because these three come off the bench to stay on the field. Leeson Ah Mau is the only bench player who fits into a regular rotation as a middle forward, while Murdoch-Masila comes on at right edge and finishes there with Harris moving to the middle. Tevaga came on just before half-time to finish the game and Afoa enters the game mid-way through the second half to finish the game.

This changes the whole set up during the game and is reason to stay patient throughout the game as the Warriors have different looks to work through; Harris offers one challenge on an edge, then Murdoch-Masila offers a different challenge.

That 10m/run mark for these bench lads is something to watch for as it shows their energy coming off the bench and how impactful they are, after all the hard mahi is done starting the game. The bench also combined to miss just 1 tackle and I reckon the Warriors are offering something different to counter the quicker tempo/more fatigue.

Redcliffe Aihe played their first game yesterday (30-28 win over Mackay), with 11 of their starting 13 from the Warriors and then youngster Preston Riki came off the bench.

Fullback: Hayze Perham.

Wings: Marcelo Montoya, Edward Kosi.

Centres: Rocco Berry, Viliami Vailea.

Halves: Paul Turner.

Middles: Jackson Frei, Kane Evans, Pride Petterson-Robati.

Edges: Josh Curran, Tom Ale.

Peace and love.