KEY POINTS:
The Warriors have not beaten the Sharks at Cronulla since 2003.
Given their recent run of form there is little faith they can reverse that situation tonight.
The Sharks are missing Auckland-born centre Fraser Anderson and utility back Brett Kearney (leg injury), prop Ben Cross (virus) and secondrower
Lance Thompson (knee). Former Warrior Misi Taulapapa has been relegated to 18th man following David Simmons return from a hamstring injury. They have captain and playmaker Brett Kimmorley and lock Greg Bird back from State of Origin but otherwise use the team that has won four of their last six games.
The Warriors vice-captain Ruben Wiki withdrew yesterday with a rib injury and they are without five-eighth Jerome Ropati (ankle) and wing Michael Crockett (suspended) but otherwise have a full squad to select from. The problem is, will the squad have the right attitude?
The failure to score against a severely depleted Storm side last week is symptomatic of their problems this season. Too often when they get in the opposition's red zone, they look clueless. They've taken wrong options and made errors at critical times, dropped ball and given away penalties in front of their opponents' posts. The kicking game has not provided enough pressure, the secondrowers all look to be playing a similar game and the lack of variation, offloads and support play means they aren't creating sufficient scoring opportunities.
Coach Ivan Cleary said this week that he has changed little in their approach to a game and in the game-plan. He doesn't believe multiple personnel changes are the answer to the team's problems. All the links are in place, he said, it's just a matter of the team clicking, of chemistry. They are lacking confidence and solving that could be as close as a couple of decent tries away, he feels.
"It's an attitude or confidence thing and it's a matter of unlocking that confidence. It's just a pass here or there. I feel we may be holding back a bit."
SHARKS vs WARRIORS
Toyota Park, 7.30 tonight
SHARKS
1. David Simmons
2. Mitch Brown
3. Ben Pomeroy
4. Reece Williams
5. Luke Covell
6. Adam Dykes
7. Brett Kimmorley (c)
8. Luke Douglas
9. Kevin Kingston
10. Craig Stapleton
11. Paul Gallen
12. Dayne Weston
13. Greg Bird
Interchange (from): Jacob Selmes, Phil Leuluai, Henry Perenara, Isaac de Gois, Misi Taulapapa.
WARRIORS
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Patrick Ah Van
3. Tony Martin
4. Lance Hohaia
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Michael Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Sam Rapira
9. George Gatis
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Simon Mannering
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck
Interchange: Nathan Fien, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Evarn Tuimavave.