Warriors

The Sea Eagles led 24-12 at half time and scored eight tries to two.

Daly Cherry-Evans scored twice for Manly and kicked seven goals.

Isaiah Papali'i and Issac Luke scored first half tries for the Warriors.

It's the first win of the season for Manly, while it's the second straight loss for the Warriors.

Top-flight sport returns to the city on Saturday when Manly stage a "home" match at Christchurch Stadium a fortnight after the mass shootings at two mosques which claimed 50 lives.

New Zealand has been placed on a high threat alert since and police have reminded event organisers nationwide to be aware that a proliferation of memorial events has the potential to stretch law enforcement resources.

However, a large police presence remains in Christchurch and will be out in force at Friday's National Remembrance Service at Hagley Park.

Less than two weeks after the terror attacks in the city, the Sea Eagles will host the Warriors at AMI Stadium.

A heavy-hearted Warriors belted Canterbury in their season-opener in Auckland last week, but were fell back to earth when routed by Wests Tigers on Sunday.

"I thought it was a big week for the footy club last week as I said after that game, for a number of reasons," Kearney said after the loss to the Tigers.

"The lesson for this footy team is that the NRL, it's every week.

Curry joined Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Paul Arizin and Chris Mullin on Golden State's list during Monday's 110-93 victory.

The two-time MVP finished with 20 points and seven rebounds to help lead the Warriors in Oakland, while Kevin Durant posted 23 points to move 33rd on the all-time scoring list.

Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Bucks outlasted the Detroit Pistons 107-104 thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Kearney has spoken publicly for the first time since Johnson's spectacular departure from the club and his subsequent signing with the Cronulla Sharks.

At the weekend Johnson said Kearney "didn't like him" and that he was left out of discussions about the Warriors' playing rosters, as he was not in the team leadership group.

"I can honestly say after spending close to 20 test matches with him and at close quarters over the last two years... I've got no problem with Shaun," said Kearney.

Warriors football general manager Brian Smith is strongly considering promoting a young half already on the Kiwi outfit's books or converting the versatile back Peta Hiku to partner Blake Green in 2019.

That would leave more than $1 million of salary-cap money to spend elsewhere, with the pack a prime target for improvement.

Smith told stuff.co.nz that Johnson's departure to a three-year deal with Cronulla handed Warriors management a chance to dissect the state of their roster.

He said they weren't pursuing any halves elsewhere in the NRL.

Last month it was revealed the Warriors told their star player he could test his value on the free market, indicating they weren't willing to re-sign him.

Johnson took to social media Monday afternoon to "clear up" his situation.

He said at this stage there's no contract for him to sign beyond 2019 and that he's already approached some rugby league clubs in Australia to pique their interest.

Former Kelston Boys' High School first XV mentor Athens Henare regards himself as fortunate to have overseen the only season of rugby union played by the former teenage prodigy.

It was rugby league until then, and straight into the Warriors junior programme afterwards.

But for one memorable year, in 2011, Fusitu'a played the 15-man code.

The motivation was simply to have fun with his close friends after five years together at the west Auckland school.

The result?

Blaring music and simulated crowd noise was the backdrop on Tuesday as the Warriors prepared for the atmosphere they expect against Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Fit-again five-eighth Green introduced the idea, believing the Warriors need a reminder of what awaits in the play-offs, seven years after their last post- season experience.

"It's just a lot louder when you play finals footy. It was just something I thought would be of benefit," he said.

He becomes the inaugural winner of the Simon Mannering Medal, announced in honour of the retiring club legend who made his 300th NRL appearance on Friday night.

Tuivasa-Sheck is just the fourth player to win the supreme accolade more than once following five-times winner Simon Mannering and Steve Price and Ben Matulino, who were two-time winners.

The fullback also collected the People's Choice Award voted on by the public.