NRL: Slow starters and with bleak away record, Warriors face tough test against Knights to open campaign

Tuimoala Lolohea is ready to switch from the right wing to fill the No1 jersey. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors are looking to start their 20th NRL campaign by overturning two horrendous records that have plagued them over the past decade.

They are notoriously slow starters, managing just two victories in their last 10 season openers.

Their away record is similarly bleak, with just 12 wins from 38 games over the last three seasons (32 per cent).

Despite the ugly statistics, coach Andrew McFadden is backing his side to start well when they take on Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.

"I'm confident we're going to go there and perform and that's really what we are about," McFadden said.

"Newcastle in Newcastle is always a challenge. It's always a challenge travelling for us so we want to take that head-on.

"The outcome will take care of itself and I'll deal with that after the match, win, lose or draw. The players' focus is purely on going there to get the job done."

If the Warriors are to buck the trend, they face the prospect of doing it without one of their most potent attacking weapons. Fullback Sam Tomkins is battling to overcome twin hamstring problems and sat out yesterday's team run. The 25-year-old is experiencing tightness in both legs but will be given until kickoff to prove his fitness.

"He's just pulled up a little sore over the weekend so on Monday trained and just tightened up," McFadden explained. "We'll take him to Newcastle and hope he's okay in the captain's run." Youngster Tuimoala Lolohea trained in Tomkins' place and is ready to switch from the right wing to fill the No1 jersey, with the untested Ken Maumalo set to make his debut on the flank if required.

With explosive centre Solomone Kata also starting his first NRL match, McFadden conceded the Warriors might be light on experience out wide but backed his young charges.

"It is [a big challenge] but most of those guys have been thrown in the deep end in the nines as well and had that experience under their belt," he said.

"They all really performed well so that's my thinking around it. They've done the job against a Gold Coast team in Toowoomba, then they had an opportunity against Penrith. This is based on form."

McFadden is counting on hardworking back-rowers Ryan Hoffman and Bodene Thompson to help make up for any shortfall in experience out wide.

"It is really important with these debutants that we've got those older heads around that are really going to help them through those moments.

"It is going to be a tough game and a real challenge for some of these young kids but, if we've got that composure around them, that will certainly help them get through."