NRL: Warriors shut out finals talk

St George interchange player Nathan Fien in action against his former club in Auckland yesterday. Photo / Getty Image

As the door closes even further, the New Zealand Warriors have shut out any thoughts about the National Rugby League playoffs.

A 29-4 defeat to competition leaders St George Illawarra in Auckland yesterday has further lengthened their slim odds of making the finals for a third year in a row.

Back in 13th spot, five points outside the top eight, they face the real possibility that a miracle run of six wins in their last six matches might not be enough to make the cut.

However, coach Ivan Cleary said it wasn't an issue that was taxing him or the players at the moment.

"We're honestly not thinking about that and we haven't been for the last couple of weeks," he said.

What Cleary was concerned about was how to get improvement out of his squad before they face sixth-place Penrith in west Sydney next Saturday night.

"I know it's a bit of cliche," he said.

"But it's about getting the boys back up to take on a good Penrith team over there. That's what we are thinking about."

Skipper Steve Price echoed his coach's sentiments, saying the Panthers had been in good form and were coming off a victory over fellow top-eight side North Queensland away from home.

"They've got some very good players and we're going to have to be on our game in that match, let alone think about what's going to happen in six or seven weeks," he said.

"You have to lay the foundation first before you worry about the big building."

Against St George Illawarra, the Warriors were left to rue their inability to make the most of the chances they created.

They had plenty of time in opposition territory late in the first half and during the second, but couldn't pierce a well-marshalled opposition defence.

The Dragons, on the other hand, took their opportunities clinically as they outscored the home side five tries to one, with winger Brett Morris getting a brace.

The result opened out a four-point gap at the top of the table, after the second-placed Bulldogs were upset by Parramatta on Saturday.

However, coach Wayne Bennett was also refraining from looking too far ahead.

Asked if felt the Dragons had one hand on the minor premiership, he replied: "No, I don't think we've got one hand on anything right now.

"We'll just turn up each week, doing the best we can, and we'll see where it all finishes."

After 21 years with Brisbane, whom he guided to six grand final triumphs, Bennett is in his first season with the Dragons, who are looking for their first premiership since they became a merged entity in 1999.

He said there had been no talk within the club about their prospects of securing the minor premiership, or even home advantage in the finals.

"It doesn't enter into our talks or our calculations," he said.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now, we're just trying to be a consistent footy team and being good when the right time comes against the top teams. That's where our focus is."

- NZPA