NRL: Warriors looking to Seymour to provide spark

Brett Seymour of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Recalled halfback Brett Seymour knows he'll be the expected go-to man as the New Zealand Warriors try to get their National Rugby League campaign back on track at a tough venue on Monday night.

The Warriors are away to competition leaders Melbourne in the Anzac Day clash with Seymour back on duty after being dropped by coach Ivan Cleary three weeks ago.

His axing, along with that of fullback Lance Hohaia and centre Joel Moon, came after the club's 0-3 start to the season.

Hohaia has since been reinstated, while Moon would have been an option this week to plug a gap in the centres caused by injuries, but is himself out with a hip complaint.

Like Moon, Seymour has bided his time with appearances for the Auckland Vulcans.

Having started the season as the No 1 halfback, he was philosophical about being demoted to the New South Wales Cup.

"It was a decision that Ivan had to make at the time on the back of three losses," he said.

"The team have been sort of up and down the last couple of weeks and looking for that sort of spark and that's up to me this weekend to provide that."

By all accounts, Seymour performed well for the Vulcans, helping them to three good wins.

In the interim, the Warriors beat Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters, but fell last weekend to Manly.

Cleary has responded to the 20-10 defeat to the Sea Eagles by rejigging his halves combination.

With Seymour back, James Maloney moves to five-eighth, replacing Feleti Mateo, who will revert to early season role of ball-playing backrower.

The Warriors' kicking game has been one of their disappointing features this year and Seymour agreed they had to improve the way they finished off their sets.

This would be particularly important against the Storm, who have one of the most lethal kick-returners in Billy Slater.

"We don't want Slater coming back at us, we want to keep him in the corners if possible and minimise their chances," Seymour said.

"He's the current Australian fullback, but no fullback likes coming out of that corner with a good kick chase. It doesn't matter who we are playing against, if you kick into the right spots, it's a tough job."

Seymour, 26, has plenty of experience, with 117 first-grade appearances divided between the Warriors, Cronulla and Brisbane.

But he has endured a mixed time since his move to Auckland before the start of 2010, with injuries restricting him to just 13 outings last year.

He admitted he lacked a bit of confidence during his three NRL matches this season and probably didn't provided enough on-field leadership.

"It comes back to looking after you own backyard," he said of the remedy.

"It's just getting back to basics."

Being in the less frenetic NSW Cup did mean he had a bit more time to work on what he needed to get right.

He said he didn't want to put too much pressure on himself in his comeback match.

"I'm a senior player now, over 100 games, I just have to get the job done," he said.

"Every time you play Melbourne away they always come with a good attitude so it's about us matching them and it's no better challenge."

- NZPA