By PETER JESSUP
Only two weeks into the NRL and already the Warriors face the acid test.
They set themselves a target of one win from two games, so having lost the first to Newcastle thanks to slack play for just a few seconds of an 80-minute game, they must now
make amends.
The talk all week has been about playing for 80 minutes against the Bulldogs at Ericsson Stadium tomorrow, about maintaining focus.
It's the one thing worrying their supporters.
Can they do it?
If you accept the adage that winning comes down to the top two inches, critics would say that, in the past, too much of the Warriors' top two inches has been bone.
They have to play hard, smart and for 80 minutes tomorrow. It may only be two games in, but can the minor premiers of 2002 continue to be taken seriously if they can't beat top sides?
Especially at home. The consistent finals records of the Bulldogs, Brisbane and Newcastle are built around the fact they win almost all of their home games.
The Warriors have won six of the 13 encounters between the sides, with two draws. The points margin has always been close. What are the odds on this being the first match to produce extra-time and a golden point result?
One key to a home win will be for others to take some of the heat off Stacey Jones. Lance Hohaia did that last weekend with what was probably his best effort yet in the NRL.
He looks more confident this season, more willing to back himself and have a go. The Warriors need other players challenging like that, others creating doubt in the opposition about where the attack will come from, drawing attention away from Jones.
P. J. Marsh needs to step in more with his dummy-half runs.
The home team should enjoy a better 10 metres this weekend under referee Bill Harrigan than they did against Newcastle under Tim Mander, and that of itself will allow them the chance to build a better attack, the forwards able to move the ball beyond one-out plays and the backs better able to create line-breaks.
They have the better, harder pack.
If the first round proved anything it is that this season's matches will be played at a greater pace and intensity. There is no opportunity to slacken, to rest mentally or physically.
Justin Murphy drops off the Warriors' five-man bench, the teams otherwise as named on Tuesday.
There will be interest in the performance of Dogs prop Willie Mason, given his row with coach Steve Folkes, and in the contest between centres Clinton Toopi and Nigel Vagana after their falling-out on the Kiwi tour at the end of last year.
Neither player was keen to talk this week.
New Zealand Warriors: Motu Tony, Henry Fa'afili, John Carlaw, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, Jerry Seuseu, P. J. Marsh, Mark Tookey, Logan Swann, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham (capt). Interchange Evarn Tuimavave, Wairangi Koopu, Karl Te Mata, Vinnie Anderson, Justin Murphy (one to be omitted).
Canterbury Bulldogs: Luke Patten, Hasim El Masri, Nigel Vagana, Willie Talau, Matt Utai, Jonathan Thurston, Brent Sherwin, Mark O'Meley, Corey Hughes, Steve Price (capt), Glen Hughes, Travis Norton, Braith Anasta; interchange Willie Mason, Dennis Scott, Andrew Ryan, Jamie Feeney, Adam Perry (one to be omitted).
* TV details: Sky 1, live 4pm tomorrow. Prime, delayed coverage starting 7.30pm.
NRL points table and fixtures
By PETER JESSUP
Only two weeks into the NRL and already the Warriors face the acid test.
They set themselves a target of one win from two games, so having lost the first to Newcastle thanks to slack play for just a few seconds of an 80-minute game, they must now
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.