Warriors' run not a burden - coach

Winger Manu Vatuvei will return after recovering from knee surgery. Photo / Getty Images.

Nearly every week, the Warriors of 2012 are compared with the 2011 vintage who went on a run that ended only in last year's grand final.

It places high expectations on Brian McClennan's side and fans are hoping for the run to start this season.

It doesn't help that they hold an identical eight-wins, eight-losses record that last year's team compiled and it was at this time last year that Ivan Cleary's side started a run of seven wins in nine games to complete their regular season.

The Warriors have built a little momentum recently, after consecutive wins over North Queensland and the Gold Coast, but face a difficult task tonight, when they travel to take on the fourth-placed Broncos, who welcome back their State of Origin players. They haven't managed three consecutive wins all season and it has meant they are eighth on the ladder.

"It's not a burden," McClennan said of trying to live up to last year. "It's an experience that has been really good for all the players. It helps you know to concentrate on one game at a time because that's what was happening last year. It's not a burden."

They will have to do it without blockbusting centre Konrad Hurrell, who injured his foot in the 32-14 defeat of the Gold Coast last week, but that has been offset to some degree by the return of winger Manu Vatuvei, who has recovered from knee surgery.

Hurrell has scored 12 tries in his 12 games this season, including 11 in his last seven, and his absence will be sorely missed. He heads a young brigade who have come through this season, particularly in the backline, and it is one of the reasons they have been inconsistent in 2012.

"We are much younger than last year's side," said second-rower Feleti Mateo who, at 28, is the third-oldest in tomorrow night's Warriors side.

"We haven't really put an 80-minute performance together all year. It's encouraging that we still have a lot in front of us. We will just keep plugging away. We don't have a break in our run into the finals and I think that's the best thing for us because we can get that momentum."