There was to be no maiden NRL Auckland Nines title for the Warriors, who were unable to catch the Eels in last night's final, but it could have been a lot worse.
Roger Tuivasa Sheck has been ruled out of this weekend's NRL All-Stars game with a calf strain that won't affect his availability for the start of the season, while the sight of Shaun Johnson wincing with pain is one that's sure to have given every Warriors fan a fright.
"It's a bit sore -- just got a knock on it so it'll be right," Johnson said.
Indeed the news is a whole lot worse for other teams, especially the Manly Sea Eagles, whose injury-hit campaign's left coach Trent Barrett fuming.
"Player welfare is always on everyone's lips, but today, or this weekend, certainly doesn't point that way -- it's dangerous. It is a risky tournament I think," he said.
Tournament organiser Dean Lonergan has also hit out at criticism from commentator Greg Alexander, who felt Nines crowds were down on previous years and the action in the middle wasn't as good.
"I can't believe anyone would say the rugby league wasn't as exciting," Lonergan said.
"For some reason Greg Alexander's got a real downer on Auckland. I think he had a bad time over here when he was playing for the Warriors."
Lonergan says ticket sales were on par with last year's event, and Duco's set to enter discussions with the NRL about extending its contract beyond the current five-year deal.
League Legend Mal Meninga couldn't kick a goal on his first trip to the Nines but reckons organisers have, in what he says is a good way to launch the season.
"I think it's a great way to propagate our game. Rugby league-wise, it's certainly a great event and I think it's here to last," he said.
Warriors fans will be hoping next year they'll see their team go one step further.
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