League: Team are still searching to get combination right

Konrad Hurrell (centre) and Tui Lolohea are one of the 11 right-edge combinations used by the Warriors this season. Photo / Getty Images

If Warriors coach Andrew McFadden was to come across a genie and a bottle in the next few weeks, you can safely predict what one of his requests would be.

Along with perhaps a fair go from referees and some luck with injuries, right-side stability would be near the top of the list.

The turnover on the Warriors right edge this season has been remarkable, with 11 different centre-wing combinations selected by Andrew McFadden in 17 matches.

Konrad Hurrell and Jonathan Wright have teamed up for four matches, and Tui Lolohea and Wright were together for three.

Apart from that, no other combination have managed more than two games together, with Matthew Allwood, David Fusitua, Ken Maumalo, Dominique Peyroux and Glen Fisiiahi among others used on the right side of the field.

In contrast Solomone Kata (16 matches) and Manu Vatuvei (14 games) have provided stability on the left side.

"It's certainly not ideal," coach Andrew McFadden said. "What we would like is a locked-in right edge. Unfortunately through injury, suspension and sometimes form, we haven't been able to lock that down. I'm hoping someone puts their hand up and gives us some solidity there."

Bodene Thompson and Shaun Johnson have played every game this season but have become used to seeing different faces outside them.

"We have had a lot of changes there," said Thompson. "It can makes things a bit harder, especially on defence, but you just have to get on with it. We work pretty hard each week in training to prepare."

Indeed, the performance of the right side this season could be viewed as a positive. Sure, it hasn't been as solid as the left and is often the area targeted by opponents but it has held up reasonably well considering all the changes.

It wasn't that long ago that the right-edge defence — or lack of it — was one of the biggest issues at the club. In 2012, things didn't go well there but it was particularly challenging early on in the 2013 season.

As the Warriors struggled to a 2-8 win-loss record in their first 10 games, the give way signs were almost permanently down the right. The team shipped a huge amount of tries and breaks down that side and it wasn't properly remedied until the middle of the season. And that was with similar personnel most weeks — nothing like this year's turnover.

"It is disruptive in some ways but you have to deal with it, and we have done that pretty well," said McFadden. "It hasn't allowed us to build some combinations and it's made it a bit harder for Shaun [Johnson]. He's got a unique style of play, so you have to understand how to work off that and that takes time. But we're getting there."