NRL: We've found way foward, says focused Mateo

One change I'd consider making is switching Simon Mannering to the left side where he can help look after Shaun Johnson. Photo / Getty Images

With several players having let their frustrations boil over after last week's horror show against the Raiders, Feleti Mateo insists the Warriors have identified a cure by channelling their gaze inwards.

Their problems, the off-the-boil ballplayer said in the wake of consecutive heavy defeats that have dropped the team off the NRL pace, were all of their own making.

"It's quite obvious that we are losing too much possession and then tackling ourselves out of the game. We are losing too much energy at the start of the games, not being able to bring it home and leaking too many points," he said. "It is disappointing because we are not playing to our full potential. Everyone knows how much talent we have got in the team, it is just a matter of bringing it together."

Mateo's frustration was evident as he hit out at critics on Twitter following the loss, suggesting "coaches from the couch" should pipe down.

"I guess it is frustrating for anyone losing games," he said.

"It is all about controlling that and I guess I got carried away with it a little bit. We realise the answers lie within our team and that is what we are focusing on."

Mateo stopped short of accepting that the flak aimed at the team was fully warranted.

"Everyone has their opinion and they are entitled to their opinion. Like I said, it is just about us focusing on our team. If we do the right thing by each other and put wins on the board then we won't be having that 'constructive criticism' as they may call it."

Typically more prone to proving their critics wrong than their cheer squad right, the Warriors might well have galvanised themselves for a bounce-back display against the Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow. Mateo, though, knows reacting to such external motivations is not a formula for sustained success.

"I guess that is a trend from the past that has stuck with us but we shouldn't need that kick up the arse to be performing. We realise that."

He also responded to reports of some players feeling flat heading into the Raiders match by saying that others in the team had felt great.

"You can have every excuse under the sun but when it comes down to it, you have just got to perform. Once you cross the line it is business. When you put pressure on the other team things start to go your way. We haven't given ourselves a chance in any of our [losses] and even the games we have won we have just scraped home. It is up to us to put in a good 80-minute performance."

Backline utility Krisnan Inu will make his second appearance of the year in place of the injured Kevin Locke. Coach Brian McClennan has named centre Konrad Hurrell and rookie back-rower John Palavi on an extended bench.

The Rabbitohs sit 11th on the ladder, but they have lost key forward Sam Burgess (knee) and Roy Asotasi (chest) suffering serious injuries. Former Warriors junior Neccrom Areaiiti has been brought in as cover.

Warriors v Souths
Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm tomorrow

Krisnan Inu
Bill Tupou
Ben Henry
Jerome Ropati
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Shaun Johnson
Sione Lousi
Nathan Friend
Ben Matulino
Feleti Mateo
S Mannering (c)

Elijah Taylor R Packer, Ukuma Ta'ai, Konrad Hurrell, Sam Rapira, Lewis Brown, John Palavi.

Greg Inglis
A Everingham
Matt King
Shaune Corrigan
Dylan Farrell
John Sutton
Adam Reynolds
Scott Geddes
Issac Luke
Dave Tyrrell
Eddy Pettybourne
Dave Taylor
Michael Croker

Ben Lowe, Chris McQueen, Jason Clark, Neccrom Areaiiti, Justin Hunt.