By PETER JESSUP
The Auckland Warriors came through their 22-8 win over Canberra without any injury concerns, the few interchanges coach Mark Graham called indicating he will run much the same team against Melbourne in a fortnight.
Graham hardly made a change in the first half, Mark Tookey moving on and off
to relieve starting props Joe Vagana and Jerry Seuseu, but only Talite Liava'a was called on to back up briefly after the curtainraiser.
B-side backs Cliff Beverley and David Myles had a run in the third quarter, both showing they were worth it.
Graham said afterwards that it was always his intention to stick largely with the starters, if they were up to it. With no one hauled off early and replaced, he looks likely to stick with a similar line-up for perhaps the first three games, to give those players a chance to cement their places and in the interests of stability.
"I was happy with our defence, very happy," he said. "I was happy with the kick-chase, the forwards were totally dominant, the backs went well - Ivan Cleary mightn't have done a lot with the football but he sure gave his outsides a chance and Odell [Manuel] would have gained a lot of confidence from that."
Losing coach Mal Meninga credited Auckland with a complete performance that locked his side out of the scoreboard.
"If they play like that every week they'll be a very formidable outfit. They certainly showed us what we have to work on."
Next up, the season opener against champions Melbourne on Waitangi Day. The Storm are a similar side to the Warriors, Graham agreed - huge forwards, smart playmakers behind - and will give him the best possible measure of where the squad is at.
Graham was pleased they won the world club championship 44-6 against St Helens yesterday: "We don't want them coming out angry."
The Warriors will have two tough training sessions daily from here on in. Despite the margin of Friday's win and the complete way in which it was built, captain John Simon said the Raiders had shown them there was room for improvement.
"That wasn't our best."
