League: Warriors determined to sound warning to rivals

Warriors coach Tony Kemp

Warriors coach Tony Kemp has kept Lance Hohaia at the crucial five-eighth position for the "home" game on Saturday that Wests Tigers have chosen to move to Christchurch's Jade Stadium.

It's a form choice. Jerome Ropati will be on the bench and Kemp has the luxury of a choice of No 6s and cover at fullback.

It's the same with Karl Temata, who again shades Richard Villasanti for the propping spot on the bench.

Louis Anderson returns after a one-week suspension, but there is some solidity and cohesion about the side that suggests they should go on from the big win against Souths.

The Warriors were crushed 50-4 by an unfancied Tigers side at Christchurch in round 14 last year, just after Kemp had taken over from Daniel Anderson.

But the team who run out this weekend will have the benefit of better leadership, better forward options, key player Stacey Jones in better form, a form hooker in Nathan Fien who can kick in-game, and a lower injury count. And a last-up win should instil some confidence.

Kemp said yesterday that there have been few thoughts of last year's result and the team who thrashed Souths were named again to play a Tigers side unchanged from that who beat the Roosters. Kemp said he had taken great heart from the staunch show by his team in keeping Souths scoreless in the second half last weekend at Ericsson Stadium, especially in the later minutes, when the scoreline was well in their favour and it would have been easy to drop effort and concede points.

"I believe in it . . . it's what seasons are built on. It would have been easy to settle back, but if you want to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, you need that," Kemp said.

He is now looking for consistency. But "we still know we can get a lot better". The Tigers have been centre of media attention in Sydney for a change, after dumping the two more-fancied opponents in succession.

Much is being made of the comfortable combination of Benji Marshall at five-eighth and halfback Prince, with TV and newspapers featuring pictures of Marshall kissing Prince after the match-winner against the Roosters - and the pair's jokes about not taking it the wrong way.

Marshall said the Tigers had just woken up to the duo's potential. "It feels like I can read him, I know what he is going to do. We play such a similar game, it's like we're thinking the same thing."

Warriors fullback Brent Webb is no doubt this weekend after pulling out the last two with a back strain, and there are no other injury worries.

The Warriors need to win to prove themselves to Christchurch fans - and to the other 14 NRL sides - that Sunday's win was no fluke. And they need to prove to themselves they are realistic playoffs contenders.

* The ex-Kiwis annual golf day is at the Helensville club on Sunday, starting at 11am, with greats including Ron Ackland and Ron McGregor, Clayton Friend and Richie Blackmore confirmed.

Organiser Eric Carson is chasing participation from the younger brigade. Any former rep players, coaches and team managers interested can phone Carson on (09) 835-2581 or 0272 458-781.

* Christchurch, Saturday 7.30pm


Warriors

Brent Webb, Todd Byrne, Sione Faumuina, Clington Toopi, Francis Meli, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham

Wests Tigers

Brett Hodgson, Daniel Fitzhenry, John Wilson, Paul Whatuira, Pat Richards, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince, Todd Payten, Ben Galea, John Skandalis, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark O'Neill (c), Liam Fulton

Reserves:

Warriors: Tevita Latu, Karl Temata, Louis Anderson, Jerome Ropati

Tigers: Robbie Farah, Dene Halatau, Bronson Harrison, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington (one to be omitted)