Warriors coach Brian McClennan was satisfied with the performance of his younger players after their 26-10 pre-season win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Konrad Hurrell was one of a number of Under 20 graduates who made a big impact in the four-quarter game, scoring a try in his debut match for the full side to the delight of the crowd at North Harbour Stadium.
Taking a big step up from the Toyota Cup, McClennan said his graduates had performed admirably but had further improvements to make before their first match of the season in three weeks time.
"You looked at their faces four weeks into preseason. You could see the shock on their faces while they were training.
"They kept battling away. They're tough kids, hence why they've won a couple of premierships - Acker [Under 20s coach John Ackland] teaches them to be tough kids."
McClennan said the youngsters had played a large number of minutes as a means of preserving their first grade stars.
"We went into the game with the mindset that we'd keep the Simon Mannerings, the Shaun Johnsons, the Nathan Friends for just 40. After that 40 minutes there was a good handful that were able to get straight in and get their recovery going.
"This week we'll be looking to get around the 60 minute mark."
While disappointed for Jacob Lillyman, who is out until April after tearing his bicep in the pre-season match against Gold Coast Titans - a game they won 26-10 - McClennan said it was a low point players often experience in first grade.
"He's a good character. He's very philosophical, he understands the game and it's the nature of the game. You have your lows and you have your highs."
Lillyman's injury gives youngsters like Sione Lousi and Horrell more opportunities to play big minutes, and this weekend the assignment comes in the form of South Sydney Rabbitohs, who McClennan believes will go deep into the NRL season.
"I think Souths will have a pretty good year this year. They look like a squad that’s going to be on the move. It's a pretty important trial for us.
"We're taking a few of them away this week - the more experience they get the better they'll get."
While Krisnan Inu and Jerome Ropati were not considered for this weekend's match, McClennan hinted both would turn out for the Warriors in their final trial match in Whangarei next weekend.