KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Warriors have targeted shutting down five-eighth Braith Anasta as a key to repelling in-form National Rugby League (NRL) opponents the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
Left out of the first State of Origin, Anasta answered the New South Wales selectors with a man-of-the-match display against Parramatta
last weekend.
He scored twice in a 32-12 win, showing his stepping ability with his first touchdown, and also had a hand to two other tries.
Warriors skipper Micheal Luck believed simple professionalism, rather than failure to make the NSW side, was Anasta's motivation for his effort against the Eels.
"I've played with and against Braith since we were schoolboys and he's always been a classy player," he said.
"He's now surrounded by other guys who are on the same page as he is and he's very hard to stop. He's been the epitome of the Roosters this year."
Luck said the Warriors' wide men would have to be awake to Anasta's kicking game, while the inside defenders would also have to maintain their concentration.
"He scored a good try last week with a big step," he said.
"Certainly, he's one of our main targets."
Against the Roosters, the durable Luck will be making his 60th successive NRL appearance since joining the Warriors before the 2006 season.
It will also be his fourth match in a row as stand-in captain, with usual skipper Steve Price still recovering from a hamstring injury and deputy Ruben Wiki on the bench.
He said he was still feeling his way in the job, although he was becoming more comfortable.
"There are times where I could go and speak to the referee a bit more," he said.
"`Still, running out first in front of this crowd is a pretty big buzz."
The Roosters have won both their matches since their bye to sit third on the table.
They have four players backing up from Origin in forwards Craig Fitzgibbon, Willie Mason, Nate Myles and Anthony Tupou.
The Warriors are back in 12th spot, having failed again last Sunday to break their duck on the road this season, going down 46-22 at Penrith.
At home, it has been a different story, and they are four from four at Mt Smart Stadium.
Coach Ivan Cleary has made four changes to his starting 13, but just one based on form, with winger Michael Crockett making way for Aidan Kirk.
Centre Brent Tate returns from Queensland duty, while Nathan Fien is again named as starting hooker, and Ian Henderson on the bench, although the pair ended up trading places against the Panthers.
Five-eighth Michael Witt is listed as a starter after having been a late injury withdrawal against Penrith.
Witt hurt his hip when he slipped in the wet during a goal attempt late in the Warriors' last home fixture, the win over Canberra.
A doubt remained over his fitness, but Cleary was hopeful he would take the field.
Cleary also said Price, who has been sidelined for two months, was back in mainstream training and was a possibility for the trip to Newcastle in the next round.
"We've probably got an eye on him for next week," he said.
"Everything so far has been positive. He's not too far away."
The issue of home-and-away form wasn't something Cleary was concerning himself about in the preparations for the Roosters.
"It's a home game and so far we've done pretty well here," he said.
"We're looking forward to another really positive performance this weekend. That's all we're worried about this week."
- NZPA