NRL: Axe hangs over misfiring Warriors

Warriors prop Russell Packer's attitude says it all after the Warriors crashed to a 25-12 defeat. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The blade could be about to descend on some misfiring players after a third straight defeat, inflicted by the St George Illawarra Dragons at Mt Smart yesterday, left the Warriors floundering at the foot of the NRL ladder.

A hoped for line-in-the-sand effort never materialised against a Dragons side smarting from a shock loss to the Sharks, with the Warriors rolling over gently in a substandard first-half display. The three tries they conceded - two to outstanding Kiwis wing Jason Nightingale - sealed their fate within the first 25 minutes.

Packaged with an inept performance against the Tigers and an opening-round choke against the Eels, it makes for an ugly start to a season that initially held much promise.

"There is no miracle solution," coach Ivan Cleary said. "I guess we've got to come up with a side and a bunch of guys that is going to work our way out of it. It is early days but it is obvious we have got to improve."

Pressed on whether "coming up with a side" meant personnel changes were imminent, Cleary said: "I think it is fair to say it is certainly an option."

Having been dragged after just 20 minutes, centre Joel Moon would appear to be the most in danger.

However, with Jerome Ropati suffering what may be a stretched ACL when pulling off a try-saving tackle on Nightingale, Moon could yet be reprieved. Scans today should reveal the extent of Ropati's injury, with the worst outcome a season-ending ACL rupture.

Fullback Lance Hohaia, whose struggles under the high ball continued when Nightingale outjumped him for the first Dragons try, could also be under threat. Halfback Brett Seymour, who produced a limited attacking effort, little-sighted winger Kevin Locke and both hookers Aaron Heremaia and Shaun Berrigan are also unlikely to be resting easy.

Cleary certainly has plenty of options. Young utility Elijah Taylor can slot into the centres, while winger Glen Fisiiahi's explosive pace would be an asset in a side struggling to test opposing defences. Fisiiahi could either return to the wing spot he surrendered after round one or move straight into his preferred fullback position. If Cleary is weighing his options at fullback and centre, Krisnan Inu could also come into calculations.

Damaging ball runners Ukuma Ta'ai and Sione Lousi are yet to be sighted in the pack. Captain Simon Mannering has played every minute of every match, limiting the scope for back row replacements. He has been one of the stronger performers this season but lacks line-breaking punch - an area where the Warriors have been particularly weak. Lewis Brown's second-half break yesterday was the only time in three matches the Warriors have achieved a linebreak that didn't come in the act of scoring a try.

Cleary will also have concerns about the defensive intensity of his side, particularly in a match when backs were already firmly pressed against walls.

The thou-shalt-not-pass attitude that formed the backbone of several outstanding wins last season appears to have been replaced by thou-shalt-stand-and-offload-at-will. The Dragons chalked up 13 first-half offloads, two of which set up breaks that brought tries.

Coach Wayne Bennett insisted offloading was not part of the Dragons' game plan.

"It is never the plan to offload, the plan is to run hard first," said Bennett, who did concede it was something the Warriors wouldn't have expected.

"It wasn't something they'd be inclined to worry about playing the Dragons. We are not known as a second-phase team. They'd have been as surprised as I was."

Cleary was more disappointed than surprised.

"[The offloading] was definitely a big issue," he said. "It wasn't like we didn't have numbers in the tackles.

"We conceded a little too easy for my liking. Against a solid Dragons team the last thing you want isto be behind like that."

Nightingale's dazzling second try and a strong finish by Matt Cooper after a Dan Hunt offload put the Warriors in an 18-0 hole at the break. They responded with a rare try to Ben Matulino in the 48th minute but lacked the cohesion to seriously threaten a comeback.

Kiwi Kyle Stanley's excellent effort made the game safe for the Dragons midway through the half, with the Warriors adding a consolation through Shaun Berrigan six minutes from time.

Bennett's side was laughably written off by pundit Mark Geyer last week after just one loss. If the Warriors keep playing this way it will not be long before their prospects are similarly assessed - and it won't be a laughing matter.

"It is a such a fickle business," Bennett said. "You can be playing okay and be a bit hard on luck and all of a sudden you can be zero and three. They can turn that around quickly but, as each week goes past, it gets a little bit harder."