NRL: Elliott wary of backlash from wounded Sharks

Matt Elliott. Photo / Greg Bowker

Warriors' coach Matt Elliott has a saying that things are never as bad as they seem. He was in a pretty bad spot a fortnight ago after an insipid start to the NRL season but things have improved dramatically with two good performances that delivered two wins. They are 11th on the table but only one win behind the leaders.

The Sharks are the only side to have lost their first four games of the year and, on the surface, appear to be in disarray. They are missing captain Paul Gallen (ankle) and Luke Lewis (shoulder). Fullback Michael Gordon (knee) and five-eighth Todd Carney (hamstring) are in doubt.

"Nothing is ever as bad as you think," Elliott said of the Sharks. "They have lost two games to really fancied teams by two points.

"I know who they don't have playing but the people they have are a pretty handy crew so we will need to be really focused and ready to compete at their home ground. I'm expecting our toughest game of the year."

The Warriors will be without Sione Lousi, who failed in his efforts to have his grade two dangerous throw charge downgraded and is suspended for three weeks.

The 24-year-old was due to start in the back row tonight and his place in the starting side is likely to be taken by Feleti Mateo, who missed last weekend's 42-18 win over the Wests Tigers with a knee injury.

Sebastine Ikahihifo will come on to the bench but it's the use of Thomas Leuluai, who also starts on the bench, that is the most intriguing. He's a half or hooker by trade but last weekend played as a back-rower and was very effective, playing as another playmaker who can shift the ball quickly on attack and defending strongly in the middle.

"We need to get more field time out of [Leuluai]," Elliott said. "I strongly believe he needs to be part of our lineup.

"What we are learning at the moment is that big teams are struggling. When Thomas came on [against the Tigers], I thought he was pretty effective around that middle. He doesn't defend like a little man either. We can use him in that middle unit as a back-rower again if we like. He's got three holes he can fill for us."

Second-rower Jayson Bukuya is still bothered by a toe injury but is expected to play against his old side.

The Warriors haven't won at Remondis Stadium since 2010 and last year were embarrassed 28-4 early in Elliott's tenure as coach. Cronulla also won the return match at Mt Smart Stadium 18-14 which was the first of a three-game losing streak that halted their charge for the playoffs.