League: Warriors vow to make playoffs for Price

The Warriors have vowed to help prolong their injured skipper's five-test international career by making the NRL playoffs.

The inspirational Steve Price, who was man of the match in Queensland's State of Origin I victory on June 25, is expected to miss the bulk of the regular season after damaging knee ligaments against the Wests Tigers four days after his Brisbane heroics.

At 31, Price fears he will be overlooked when the Kangaroos Tri-Nations squad for tests in New Zealand and Britain is named after the October 2 NRL grand final.

Price had targeted the Tri-Nations as an international footnote to his stellar 12-year career, but with no guarantee he will play for the Warriors again this regular season, he worries that out of sight translates to out of mind for the Australian selectors.

"I haven't got a heap of time left, just the next couple of years, and people are going to start questioning whether it's a smart idea to pick a 31-year-old or whether they should be picking a 25-year-old," Price told Big League magazine.

"If we don't make the semis, I don't think I'm much chance of making a rep side.

"I'd have played only two or three games at best before the [final round] bye, then it's five weeks before the grand final and another two before the first test.

"They normally go for guys that have played in the finals because they've got match fitness."

Price has never played outside of New Zealand or Australia and was contemplating a move to English Super League before he was prised from the Bulldogs after last year's grand final - which he also missed with a knee injury.

The Warriors are 10th and start a tough schedule of matches tonight against Parramatta in Hamilton that is likely to determine whether they finish in the playoffs.

Two points outside the eight, and with the fourth best defensive record in the competition, a playoff berth is not beyond possibility, though lock Monty Betham admits tough times lie ahead.

After the second-placed Eels, the Warriors strike form horses Brisbane, North Queensland, reigning premiers the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters - last year's beaten finalists.

"Everyone is wondering how good we're going to go and made the point we've got the hardest run home," said Betham.

"We don't mind measuring ourselves against good teams - it's a good way to see if you're good enough to make the eight."

Betham said helping Price fulfil his dream was part of the Warriors' motivation to get through a testing month.

"We want Steve back as soon as possible and if we can assist him achieve his goals we'll do that."

Betham doubted Price needed to worry, believing Australia coach Wayne Bennett would back the prop's selection.

Meanwhile, Parramatta captain and former Kiwis leader Nathan Cayless hopes good form at Waikato Stadium will press his claims for Tri-Nations recall.

Cayless, a 24-test veteran, was disappointed to miss the cut for April's Anzac test, which coincided with a flat patch for the Eels, who are now on a five-match winning streak.

"I was disappointed not to make it, so I had to sit down, have a look at myself and see if I was working hard enough.

"It's given me a boost to keep improving."

* Hamilton, 7.30pm tonight

Warriors
Brent Webb
Francis Meli
Clinton Toopi
Jerome Ropati
Todd Byrne
Nathan Fien
Stacey Jones (c)
Ruben Wiki
Lance Hohaia
Iafeta Paleaaesina
Louis Anderson
Wairangi Koopu
Monty Betham

Reserves: Richard Villasanti, Karl Temata, Tevita Latu, Awen Guttenbeil. 18th man: Sione Faumuina.

Eels
Wade McKinnon
Matt Peterson
Ben Smith
Daniel Wagon
Eric Grothe
John Morris
Tim Smith
N. Cayless (c)
Mark Riddell
Paul Stringer
N. Hindmarsh
Glenn Morrison
Chad Robinson

Reserves: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Adam Peek, Aaron Cannings, Michael Vella, Luke Burt (two to be omitted)

- NZPA