Shaun Johnson's twinkle toes have made his 150th appearance for the Warriors a memorable milestone.

The star halfback scored a try and played a key role in two others to help set up the Warriors' 34-14 victory over Manly at AMI Stadium on Saturday evening.

A run of 34 unanswered points after Manly took an early eight-point lead dazzled the Christchurch crowd, who had not seen an NRL game in the city since Penrith defeated the Warriors in 2016.

The Warriors, who were without injured captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for just the second time this season, were much improved on defence from their last-start loss to the Rabbitohs.

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And on the back of a strong forward effort in the middle, Johnson and Issac Luke controlled the game and let the likes of David Fusitu'a, who scored a hat-trick, loose to secure a six tries to two win.

Johnson, who was playing his first match in more than a month, stepped up like he had never been away in a display that would have pleased Warriors coach Stephen Kearney no end.

The Warriors' ninth win of the season took them to 20 competition points and kepts them inside the top four. That's two more than they mustered in the entire 2017 season.

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Shaun Johnson played a staring role in the Warriors win.

It was also another boost for their squad depth. For the second time, they have tasted success without their influential skipper and fullback Tuivasa-Sheck.

Manly, who took the game on the road to Christchurch, might have been the home team but there was no question the bulk of the 17,357 strong Christchurch crowd were behind the Warriors.

The Warriors victory makes the prospect of an away trip to Townsville to take on the Cowboys next week much more palatable.

The Warriors (eight wins) had won double the number of games as Manly so far in 2018 (four wins) going into the match but big victories over the Storm and Broncos proved the Sea Eagles were much better than their record suggested.

Manly, who made a late change with Brad Parker starting at centre following troubled teen Moses Suli arriving in Christchurch a couple of days late after misplacing his passport, was dealt another blow when hooker Apisai Koroisau limped off with a leg injury early in the first half.

Manly, who went into the clash with seven wins from their last eight encounters with the New Zealand-based side, opened the scoring when Koroisau burrowed over from close range in the fifth minute on the back of two early penalties and Johnson kicking the ball out on the full.

The Warriors, fresh off the bye last week, looked like a team that hadn't played for two weeks early in the first half with the cohesion not quite there. They were denied a try after 14 minutes when Fusitu'a was called back for a forward pass. The move came from a quick tap and the Warriors were unlucky not to get the advantage with Manly offside from Luke's quick play.

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David Fusitu'a celebrates the second of his three tries.

Trent Hodkinson added a penalty to his earlier conversion to give Manly an 8-0 lead after 21 minutes.

But two minutes later Isaiah Papali'i scored the Warriors' first try on the back of an inspired 50-metre run from blockbusting winger Ken Maumalo. Johnson's conversion cut Manly's lead to just two points.

With 11 minutes to go until the break, Tohu Harris scored the Warriors' second try on the back of a crucial one-on-one strip from Luke and a perfectly-timed pass from Blake Green.

Johnson, who was playing just his seventh game of the season, added the conversion to hand the Warriors a 12-8 lead.

Manly had the Warriors on their own goal line and under pressure but critical try-saving tackles from Harris and Luke ensured the Warriors took the four-point lead at the break.

The Warriors dominated in the crucial areas of offloads and tackle busts in the opening 40 minutes. They record 20 tackle busts to Manly's 10 and won the offload contest 8-5 and were quickly back on the scoresheet after the break with a long-range try to Johnson.

Johnson's try, that came just three minutes in the second half, was set up by yet another barging run from Maumalo and another classy line break from his fellow winger Fusitu'a.

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Manly's chances took a major hit when hooker Apisai Koroisau limped off early in the first half.

Warriors veteran Simon Mannering was given a healthy ovation when he crossed soon after but the try was disallowed for an incorrect play-the-ball.

Sixteen minutes into the second half Johnson, through sheer speed and some crafty work out of dummy half from Luke, came up with another line break for the Warriors and went onto set up Fusitu'a to go under the sticks. Johnson's conversion took the score to 24-8.

When Fusitu'a scored his second with 18 minutes remaining the Warriors had the two competition points in the bag.

But two minutes later he added another, off a Johnson grubber, to bring up his hat-trick - with more speed and finesse than the streaker that invaded the pitch after his try.

Manly managed a late consolation try to Brian Kelly with eight minutes remaining.

Warriors 34 (Isaiah Papali'i, Tohu Harris, Shaun Johnson, David Fusitu'a 3 tries; Johnson 5 goals) beat Manly 14 (Apisai Koroisau, Brian Kelly tries; Trent Hodkinson 3 goals). HT: 12-8.

 - Stuff