The New Zealand side took the Storm to the wire in their Anzac Day clash at AAMI Park before a last-ditch field goal by Melbourne halfback Brodie Croft handed the home side a 13-12 win.

The Warriors went into the match without star skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and halfback Blake Green (groin), while centre Solomone Kata dropped out of the side on compassionate grounds.

Kata's replacement, Patrick Herbert, impressed on debut.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney came in for criticism regarding Tuivasa-Sheck's absence after earlier claiming in the week he would be fine for the trip to Melbourne.

After the Storm game the coach defended the timeline of Sheck's injury.

"To clarify that we trained on Monday and he completed training - he had a bit of tightness but nothing too serious," Kearney said.

"He was adamant that he was OK but then after the captain's run he didn't pull up so well so we didn't want to take the risk.

"There was no shenanigans on our part - if you ask Roger he was adamant he was going to play."

Kearney said playmaker Green could have played if their match was later in the round, and he feels he is on track for a start on Sunday, May 5 at Mt Smart Stadium, after three weeks out.

Despite three straight losses Kearney said there were some good signs in his team, who led the Storm 8-4 at halftime.

"We're working really hard and there's been some positive stuff in some areas of our game," he said.

"We've missed a couple of opportunities but we've just got to keep at it."

Australian Associated Press