New Zealand Warriors to see where they stand in clash with Cronulla Sharks, says coach Andrew Webster

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has indicated the importance of this round in the NRL. Photo / Photosport

This weekend’s NRL match against the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney is going to be revealing for the New Zealand Warriors.

During the opening month of the competition, there has been a distinct change in the performance of the Warriors from that of recent seasons. They have been fighting for their results, their goal line defence has been immense for the most part, they boast the highest completion rate in the NRL (83 per cent) and have made the most linebreaks (25) of any team.

After winning three of their first four games, the Warriors sat fourth on the NRL ladder as they travelled to Sydney for a meeting with the Sharks on Sunday.

Although they have started well, coach Andrew Webster believes this weekend’s clash will be telling of where his team are placed in comparison to the competition.

“I think this is going to be the biggest game for all clubs this week, where clubs who aren’t going well will work it out and clubs who are really good teams will get better,” Webster said.

“We’ve got to find out where we sit in that and I think this is the week for it. Where we’re at now, I’ve never left a game so happy with the result and then reviewed the game going ‘wow, we got so much wrong’.

“We won ugly [against the Bulldogs] on the weekend. I’m proud of them but we’ve still got a long way to go.”

For all the good they have shown in the early days of this season, Webster is quick to admit there are some glaring flaws in their play that need to be addressed.

Namely, their dismal starts and a lack of discipline.

In all four games, the Warriors have conceded the first try within the opening 10 minutes.

The team are only conceding an average of 14 points per game, but Webster is under no illusions as to how continuing that trend, and their position as the league’s third-most penalised team, will ultimately impact their season.

“We’re playing to the finish of the game but need to start better, set games up rather than chase them all the time,” Webster said of the improvements he wants from his team.

“Just getting in a rhythm a little bit earlier, that’s what I want to see. I want to see some discipline; I feel like parts are killing us where we’re just marching them out. Our completion is the highest in the NRL but the possession rates, we’re only at 50 per cent for the season because we’re marching them out of trouble and giving them the ball.”

Not for the first time this year, the Warriors have been forced into some changes to their team due to injuries, with Te Maire Martin unavailable after a head injury against the Bulldogs last week. Young half Ronald Volkman makes his first start of the season in Martin’s place, while Wayde Egan returns at hooker.

The biggest change is the absence of captain Tohu Harris.

Harris was initially named to start at lock despite being forced to exit last weekend’s win over the Bulldogs with a knee injury early in the second half. While his position in the side this weekend always felt doubtful, the Warriors were happy to give him every opportunity to prove his fitness before making a call.

Ultimately, Harris was unable to take his place in the squad, and Dylan Walker will start at lock instead. That change could bring a different dynamic to the side, as Walker has been fantastic in bringing foot speed and ball-playing ability off the bench.

Josh Curran will join the bench for his third appearance of the season, while Egan will take over as captain.

Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Edward Kosi, Viliami Vailea, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Ronald Volkman, Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Bunty Afoa, Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore, Dylan Walker.

Interchange (from): Bayley Sironen, Jazz Tevaga, Tom Ale, Josh Curran, Freddy Lussick, Taine Tuaupiki.