KEY POINTS:
Dominating the ruck area will be a key goal when the New Zealand Warriors try to breathe life back into their National Rugby League (NRL) campaign tomorrow night.
The Warriors, who are away to Cronulla, are coming off their most disappointing loss of the year.
At home against South Sydney last weekend, they twice allowed the league's bottom side to come from behind and snatch a 35-28 victory.
The result underlined the defensive frailties of the Warriors, who are conceding an average 30 points a match and have the worst points-against total in the competition.
Veteran second rower Logan Swann, brought back into the side to help stiffen up the defence, said plugging up the middle of the park would be a priority.
"That's where it all starts," he said.
"If you're not dominating at the ruck area then it just opens up opportunities for the opposition to attack you through there."
Swann said it was a case of individuals taking responsibility for their roles and getting it right on the day.
While the Warriors had practised tackle technique and getting in a decent wrestle to slow the play-the-ball, they had not been performing to potential.
Cronulla, who are coming off a good win away to Penrith last weekend, are among a group of five teams at the top of the table with 18 points.
Swann believed a repeat of the performance that the Warriors produced against Newcastle a fortnight ago could lead to an upset over the Sharks.
The trip to Newcastle brought the Warriors' first away victory of the season, with a late penalty securing an 18-16 win.
"We just need another gutsy performance defensively and to be clinical with the ball in hand," Swann said.
"If we get those two things up to scratch, hopefully we will come away with a win."
While the Warriors are back in 13th position, Swann said it hadn't yet reached the do-or-die stage for the Auckland-based club.
"I wouldn't see it as a must-win," he said.
"We're only four points out of the top eight. But we need to perform a lot better than in the last game. That's in our minds and we'll be looking to do that on Saturday."
Swann's return to the Warriors for his 10th start of the season, and the 181st of his career, comes after a couple weeks on the sidelines.
His defensive qualities, including a low missed tackle rate, has gained him inclusion ahead of Epalahame Lauaki in the starting 13.
Lauaki drops out of the 17 and will instead play for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup competition.
Swann said maintaining his fitness had been the most important thing while he was out of action.
"It's been very frustrating, sitting on the sidelines," he said.
"I'm looking forward to getting back into the frame and going out there and helping us get another away win."
- NZPA
