The New Zealand Warriors' inside defence will look to work as a unit to shut down mercurial five-eighth Benji Marshall when they face Wests Tigers tomorrow.
Marshall, a Kiwi debutant last month, was in fine form for Wests in their 28-16 win over Canberra last weekend, producing his characteristic side-step
for one of his side's five tries.
His opposite number at Ericsson Stadium will be Nathan Fien, who said team-work was the key to combating the threat posed by Marshall.
"We just have to work hard for each other on our inside shoulders," he said. "He's got great footwork and can step on a 20c piece, so if he beats me, I'm sure there will be someone coming on the inside to finish him off."
The match will be a personal milestone for Fien and team-mate Francis Meli, who will be making their 100th first-grade appearances.
While Meli's have all been for the Warriors, Fien played 91 times for North Queensland, before moving to Auckland in the off-season.
He was a surprise late inclusion in the side who beat South Sydney last weekend, having been expected to be out for up to 12 weeks after fracturing an eye socket three weeks earlier. He didn't need an operation for the injury and knew early last week that he was on target for a quick comeback.
The Warriors are 11th on the table, one place and two points behind Wests, who are out of the top eight by points differential.
They will be looking to win two games in a row for the first time since late 2003, and also to turn around a disappointing home record this year.
Hopes that a redeveloped Ericsson Stadium would become a fortress have so far remained unfulfilled, with the Warriors winning just once in five appearances at the ground this season.
The sole success was against Souths early last month.
"We need to win the ones at home," Fien said. "We've played well, but haven't won as many games as we should have at home. We definitely need this one to stay in touch with the eight."
Fien said that although heads had not fallen after a run of three narrow losses, the away victory over the Rabbitohs that broke the streak last Saturday night had lifted confidence at the club.
"Sometimes, when you're not getting the results, everyone starts feeling negative around the place, but it wasn't the case - everyone was really positive," he said. "We all knew we were playing good football and the win against Souths just added to that."
Fien, 25, is being groomed to succeed Stacey Jones as playmaker when the halfback leaves for French club Union Treiziste Catalane at the end of the year,
He said he was enjoying the move from hooker, his early position with the Warriors, to five-eighth, having played in the halves with the Cowboys.
Coach Tony Kemp said the No 6 jersey was likely to be Fien's for the rest of the season.
"Potentially he could lead the side when Stacey goes and he knows that," Kemp said. "He enjoys the extra responsibility. Barring injury, I can't see there being a change at No 6 for the rest of the year."
* Ericsson Stadium, 2pm tomorrow
Warriors
Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Todd Byrne, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Nathan Fien, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki, Lance Hohaia, Steve Price (c), Louis Anderson, Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu
Wests Tigers
Brett Hodgson, Matt Reick, Shane Elford, Paul Whatuira, Pat Richards, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince, A. Laffranchi, Robbie Farah, John Skandalis, Ben Galea, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton
Interchange:
Warriors: Richard Villasanti, Karl Temata, Tevita Latu, Clinton Toopi.
Tigers: Daniel Fitzhenry, Bronson Harrison, Dene Halatau, Bryce Gibbs.
- NZPA
The New Zealand Warriors' inside defence will look to work as a unit to shut down mercurial five-eighth Benji Marshall when they face Wests Tigers tomorrow.
Marshall, a Kiwi debutant last month, was in fine form for Wests in their 28-16 win over Canberra last weekend, producing his characteristic side-step
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