NRL: Berrigan set to face old coach

Shaun Berrigan. Photo / Getty Images

For Shaun Berrigan, it will be business as usual this weekend as he finds himself on opposing sides with the coach who guided him through his nine previous seasons in the National Rugby League (NRL).

The back-up dummy half will make his third appearance for the New Zealand Warriors when he comes off the bench against premiers St George Illawarra in Auckland on Sunday.

Looking down from the visitors' coaching box will be Wayne Bennett, whose two decades at Brisbane included the 186 matches that Berrigan played for the Broncos between 1999 and 2007. Berrigan, 32, was a member of two NRL grand final-winning sides under Bennett, who also coached him at test and State of Origin level.

He had a wry smile when the issue of coming up against his former mentor was raised.

But he said sentiment wouldn't be part of the equation against the Dragons and the match would be like any other on the season's schedule.

"I've known Wayne for a long time and he's been good to me," he said.

"But I'm at an age now and I've been in the game long enough to know that every week two points are up for grabs and no week is more important than the other.

"For me, it's business as usual. I have to make sure I prepare well and do the best I can."

Berrigan said he last spoke to Bennett last year.

"I spoke to him midway through last season when my dad passed away," he said.

"Wayne gave me a call. He's always been there for me to speak to him. He's a good guy and I'm looking forward to us trying to beat him this week."

After leaving the Broncos, Berrigan spent three years at British Super League club Hull FC.

His arrival in Auckland in the summer meant he joined two ex-Brisbane teammates in halfback Brett Seymour and centre Joel Moon.

While there was plenty of pre-season optimism at his new club, the Warriors are yet to get off the mark after defeats to Parramatta and Wests Tigers.

While the Warriors drew positives from their late comeback against the Eels, coach Ivan Cleary labelled their performance against the Tigers as "rudderless".

Berrigan said it was one thing to lose after having played well, stuck to a game plan and completed sets.

"When you turn over the ball really cheaply and don't give yourselves a chance, then everyone's disappointed," he said.

"But the good thing is we have good coaching staff here and they reviewed the game quickly, put that behind us and moved on."

Berrigan targeted the kicking game, support play, one-on-one defence and ball security as areas the Warriors needed to improved on against St George Illawarra.

He wasn't sure how much of a backlash there would be from the Dragons after their surprise defeat to a fired-up Cronulla side on Monday night.

"No matter what happened last week, the Dragons are going to be tough," he said.

"They are the reigning premiers, very well coached, very well drilled and a very good defensive team.

"Obviously they're not going to be happy about that loss, but there are two teams desperate for two points this week."

- NZPA