KEY POINTS:
There is one stand-out factor that could swing the Warriors-Bulldogs game at Mt Smart tomorrow - Sonny Bill Williams.
Back on his home turf in Auckland, the Dogs secondrower will be keen to stamp his mark as one of the most damaging players in the NRL.
Williams, still
just 22, has 66 games behind him since his debut in 2004, despite lengthy periods on the sidelines injured. This season, he looks bigger, stronger and faster and has already proved his worth in the first four rounds, underlining his ability with an 80m breakaway try.
As Warriors coach Ivan Cleary admits, they will not be able to stop Williams. It's a matter of limiting the damage he does. "He's obviously a key guy for them. He's going to do things."
The Warriors had no special plan to contain him and he was not the sole focus this week. Rather than worry about what Williams might do they had to control what was in their hands, complete their sets, give him as little ball as possible "and make sure everyone is alive when he gets the ball".
Cleary was happy with the effort and attitude against Newcastle last Sunday and expects the side to back up in that area. Their completion rate last weekend was the best achieved since he took over three years ago and a repeat is wanted. Better execution of opportunities has been the target in preparation.
Cleary expects the Dogs to throw the ball around and test them. "They probably play more footy than any other team," he said. That style of play can be hard to stop but when you tough that out and keep them scoreless then opportunities arise, he said.
They will not be wanting to give the Dogs the room to move in the middle that the Knights backrowers had last week, Cory Paterson's try the worst example as he strolled through a huge hole. Williams will eat those chances and last line of defence Lance Hohaia at 86kg and 175cm is a speed bump in front of a 105kg 191cm bus.
Williams' attacks favour the left side of the field, where Ryan Shortland and Manu Vatuvei defend. The other man the Warriors have to watch closely is Dogs fullback Luke Patten who likes to pick up off-loads in midfield. The Dogs have created more line breaks than any other team this season and these two are the reason.
Their vulnerable spot is identified in the statistics; the Bulldogs conceding more tries through kicks to their wings than any other team in 2007 and again over four rounds in 2008. Michael Witt's kicks to the in-goal have been sharp this season so that's a tactic to be expected.
Reni Maitua is off the Dogs bench after suffering a rib injury in training so both teams will start as named on Tuesday - no injury concerns in either camp.
The Bulldogs conduct an open training session at Cornwall Park today.
Back at their Belmore HQ the club board is continuing to discuss its target as a coach to replace the outgoing Steve Folkes. Chief executive Todd Greenberg, himself in the job just a few weeks, has indicated they will identify the desired candidate then make an approach rather than call for applications..
The one man who has put his hand firmly in the air is Folkes' assistant Kevin Moore, who remains favourite to win the post after success with junior grade teams and three years as assistant.
The Panthers are likely to grant Tony Puletua a release from the last year of his contract so he can shift to Super League in 2009, with Hull and St Helens interested.
WARRIORS
Mt Smart Stadium, tomorrow 2pm
Lance Hohaia
Patrick Ah Van
Brent Tate
Ryan Shortland
Manu Vatuvei
Michael Witt
Grant Rovelli
Sam Rapira
Nathan Fien
Ruben Wiki (c)
Simon Mannering
Logan Swann
Micheal Luck
BULLDOGS
Luke Patten
Hazem El Masri
Tim Winitana
Willie Tonga
Heka Nanai
Ben Roberts
Daniel Holdsworth
Jarrad Hickey
Corey Hughes
Kane Cleal
Sonny Bill Williams
Andrew Ryan (c)
Lee Te Maari
Interchange
Warriors: Ian Henderson, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sonny Fai.
Bulldogs: Danny Williams, Michael Sullivan, Chris Armit