NRL: Warriors keen on 80-minute display

Micheal Luck. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Warriors have become specialists at second-half comebacks in recent weeks, but they are hoping they don't have to do so in their National Rugby League (NRL) clash against Penrith on Saturday.

Three weeks ago the Warriors came from 10-8 down at halftime to thrash the Canberra Raiders 29-10, and last week they overturned a 12-4 halftime deficit against the Newcastle Knights to win 20-12.

Experienced second rower Micheal Luck said the players' ability to turn their game around was pleasing but it was unlikely to work every week and they needed an 80-minute performance against Penrith.

"That's not an ability thing, that's an attitude thing'' he said.

"The most pleasing thing out of the last few weeks is that we've been able to turn it round at halftime without needing to look over a video to do it. It proves that we all know how to play and what sort of play gets results.

"We just have to go out and do it from the start and not wait for a kick in the bum at halftime.''

Assistant coach Tony Iro didn't think it was solely a concentration issue.

"We've got a reasonably young team and we've got to learn how to control our emotions a little better,'' he said.

"We're hoping that a few more lessons were learnt from Saturday night against the Knights - both our young players and a couple of senior guys probably let the team down in terms of their ball control and their concentration.

"Certainly at halftime the boys were saying the right things, they recognised what they were doing wrong, and I thought to be able to come out against a side who were pretty highly motivated themselves and to shut them out in that last 40 was really good for the side and for their confidence.''

The Warriors defeated Penrith 12-6 away from home last year with a phenomenal defensive effort, something Iro hopes they won't need on Saturday.

"Last year was pretty special performance in terms of D, but certainly at this time of the year you don't want to have to be making 450 tackles, which is what I think we got up to last year.

"I certainly don't think with the calibre of players in their team that we'll get away with that again.''

Penrith, who are eight points behind the Warriors on the NRL ladder in 11th place with three rounds to go, are all but out of the race for the top eight but Iro expects a tough game, particularly given that Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary will become Penrith coach next season.

"Every side at this time of the year is trying to achieve a few things. They've got a few little goals and trying to knock us off our perch or put a dent in where we finish is probably one of their goals this week,'' he said.

"And with the special circumstances with this being our head coach's new club they'll be pretty determined to put on a good performance.''

- NZPA