NRL: Brown hears the call of his wounded home

Lewis Brown says the Warriors are desperate to kick-start their season against the Dragons on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

There's been an extra spring in Lewis Brown's step this year, with the combative backrower's efforts a beacon of light among the gloom of an 0-2 Warriors start.

While it would be easy to attribute the elevation in his form - from what was already a consistently high level last season - to the arrival of Feleti Mateo and the threat that poses to Brown's place in the squad, it has more to do with reasons closer to home.

"Each week I play with Christchurch on my sleeve," the team's sole Cantabrian says.

"It has probably showed in my last couple of games. I have played with a bit more passion. That is my home, where I was born and where my family are. It is devastating what has happened down there. My aunty lost her home and I've known people who lost their lives. It plays on my mind a little bit."

Brown has always flown the Canterbury flag with pride but the February earthquake has added a layer of urgency to his efforts. He knows his on-field efforts can provide some comfort, however small, to friends and family.

"I just try to keep my head up and keep my family's spirits up. Hopefully everyone can pull through. Every day is a tough slog down there. Even when all the physical stuff is done there is still the mental side of things and I'm sure people down there are still struggling with that kind of stuff. That's why the Warriors and New Zealand as a whole are right behind the people down there."

Mental anguish, albeit on a comparatively trivial level, is something Warriors fans have tasted over the opening two weeks of the NRL season.

The inability to deal with Jarryd Hayne's bombs aside, the Warriors were solid enough in their opening night defeat by the Eels at Eden Park. Last week's defeat to the Tigers, however, was an altogether more disconcerting display. A lack of execution of the basics made for a truly ugly display.

"We are pretty ashamed of what happened," Brown admitted.

Ashamed, but not cowed. Not yet, anyway.

"We've still got high hopes of achieving our goals this year," Brown said ahead of Sunday's match against a Dragons side on the rebound from a shock Monday night defeat by the Sharks. "To go in 0-2 into such a crucial game against the defending champs is not how we'd like it, but that is how football goes. This week has been a good chance for us to get home, freshen up a wee bit and hopefully get our season back on track.

"Every week is a new game and a new opportunity to put a W in that column. What better way to do that than back at Mt Smart against the defending champs?"

The Dragons are hardly an ideal opponent for a team looking to break out of a slump, but Brown believes that is almost irrelevant. So far the Warriors have been their own worst enemy.

"We've shot ourselves in the foot in both games," he said.

"We tend to try not to beat ourselves but the last couple of weeks we have been doing that. In that first game against Parramatta we got beaten by a good side but we played pretty badly. The same last week. We've showed we can stick with these sides and only just get beaten and we haven't clicked yet. Hopefully this weekend we can orchestrate a good performance, hold some ball and complete sets. And hopefully that can lead to everyone really clicking into gear and get us a result."

He has racked up 40 matches in just over two seasons but Brown still ranks himself as a novice.

"I'm still just starting off. I'm still learning about the game. I just believe each week that if I can bring enthusiasm and be hungry to play then hopefully I can keep my position the next week."

An unused member of Stephen Kearney's triumphant Four Nations squad, Brown has come close to realising his goal of playing for the Kiwis. On current form, he will certainly be in the calculations for the May Anzac Test on the Gold Coast - a game switched from Christchurch after the quake.

"My dream has always been to pull on that black jumper. But at the moment I have to do my job for the Warriors and let the rest fall into place."