"We definitely feel good, we have the advantage of being at Emery Park - we are strong at home. I never believed in that kind of thing about teams being able to create a castle but we are certainly on our way to doing that and that's the atmosphere I want here," he said.
"This season we have been bad on the road - that's not an excuse. Our mental preparation just wasn't quite there and it really showed in the game. That's all different this week - I've stressed that players need to bring mana into the jersey.
"The Mount are always a strong outfit - they have a lot of fitness within their ranks and are well structured and clinical finishers - our forwards have to be dominant against them."
Rotoiti sit seventh tied on 10 points, with the Mount and Whaka, and have suffered several injuries - most notably No 8 Jesse Acton.
Wardlaw said poor weather conditions due to Cyclone Cook could further affect match preparation.
"We've got a couple of injuries but you have to deal with that - it's a long season," he said.
"Already this week we've had to do gym work instead of being out on the field. We've been scrambling a bit to find a place we can have a run out on but I'm hoping we will have a chance to put our final game plan into action before Saturday."
Rescheduling in the Bay of Plenty senior competitions due to Cyclone Cook:
Friday April 14:
Division 1:
Papamoa v Marist St Michaels at Gordon Spratt Reserve, kick-off 1pm.
Saturday April 15:
Premier:
Development kick-off 1.00pm / Premier kick-off 2.45pm
Rotoiti v Tauranga Sports, Emery Park.
Greerton Marist v Poroporo, Greerton Park.
Rangataua v Arataki, Te Ariki Park.
Division 1:
Kick-off 2.45pm
Ngongotaha v Waimana, Ngongotaha Domain.
Judea v Waikite, Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park.
Monday April 17:
Premier:
Development kick-off 1.00pm / Premier kick-off 2.45pm
Whakarewarewa v Whakatane Marist, Puarenga Park.
Games still to be rescheduled include:
Premier:
Te Puna v Mount Maunganui Sports, Maramatanga Park.
Te Puke Sports v Paroa, Murray Salt Stadium.
Division 1:
Opotiki v Kahukura, Princess St Reserve.
Papamoa v Marist St Michael's at Gordon Spratt Reserve.
Katikati v Ruatoki, Moore Park.