KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Jonah Lomu isn't on the payroll but he's become the New Zealand Warriors' most valuable fan as they move a step closer to the National Rugby League (NRL) playoffs.
The All Blacks great sat in the corner of the Campbelltown Stadium dressing room on Sunday like one of the lads as they celebrated their 28-16 win over Wests Tigers.
Coach Ivan Cleary revealed Lomu had turned up out of the blue as the Warriors lurched through their six-match losing streak mid-season.
"He just comes along to our games. He's a high-profile friend of the boys and they get a big kick out of it.
"It's huge for us. He gave us a lot of support when we were going through a bad run so it says a lot about him."
Lomu, who rejected an offer from the Gold Coast Titans last year, was in Sydney to become an ambassador for an Australian campaign encouraging people to be organ and tissue donors.
As he sat between Epalahame Lauaki and Wade McKinnon reflecting on yesterday's match it was clear the awe he was held in.
"He played a big part when the boys were down and losing six in a row. He just turned up to our games and had faith in us," Lauaki said.
"He gets us in the zone. When you walk in and see the big man sitting here it's great for us. He just jokes around and keeps us relaxed."
The Warriors moved up to sixth on the points table with Sunday's win as they eye the Newcastle Knights in Auckland on Saturday.
In two matches they've scored 12 tries, including four in the second quarter against the Tigers to race to a 22-4 lead.
After the razzle-dazzle and daring offloads, including a double to halfback Grant Rovelli, the Warriors toughed it out on defence against a mounting penalty count to ensure their lead was never threatened.
The only hiccup occurred one minute from fulltime when fullback Wade McKinnon was sent off by referee Paul Simpkins for an alleged knee on Tigers forward Taniela Tuiaki on the ground. Cleary labelled it "an extremely big call".
McKinnon and centre Jerome Ropati, placed on report for a lifting tackle, await Monday's match review committee to see if they will be charged.
With six matches remaining, Cleary estimated the Warriors needed to win four of them to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
"You probably need 28 (points) to make sure you're safe.
"But this time of year you've got to try and win every game. It's a cliche but that's how it is -- you can't afford to look too far ahead. Six weeks ago we couldn't win a game."
Five-eighth Michael Witt meanwhile admitted it was a relief his run of 28 consecutive NRL goals ended.
After a week when his streak increased from 25 to 30, then back to 25 after a re-adjustment by the NRL's statistician, he hooked his fourth attempt just left of the posts yesterday.
"It's probably a good thing. The pressure's off now and I can just kick. I don't have to worry about it," said Witt, enjoying the Warriors' change in fortunes.
"Confidence is a great thing. I still thought we were doing all right when we were losing. I guess when you're winning you're confident and we're just playing off the back of that."
- NZPA
