By PETER JESSUP
Warriors coach Daniel Anderson yesterday lost strong centre David Myles from his team to face the Wests Tigers in their National Rugby League match tomorrow - and the midfield is where he sees the battle won and lost.
Myles left the field late against the Northern Eagles last weekend with a groin strain that has not repaired sufficiently and will be replaced by Shontayne Hape, with Clinton Toopi moving into the travelling 18.
Anderson said he was wary of the impact the Tigers would have through Kevin McGuinness, against Stacey Jones' right side of the field, and Terry Hill, against either Hape or Toopi.
The team has spoken about the expected sledging from the Tigers, NRL champions at it. Hill, in particular, is known for his mouth and John Hopoate on the wing likes to get in everyone's face.
"We've talked about it, I've told them what I'd expect - Terry Lamb [Wests coach] encourages it - but it was the players who spoke about it most," Anderson said.
"It'll be interesting to see how they 'word up'."
Co-captains Jones and Kevin Campion need to provide a good lead, the presence of the experienced Campion, Richie Blackmore in the centres and Ivan Cleary at the back being a bonus last year's Warriors didn't have. Anderson reckons that if the side weathers the expected early barrage "I'm sure we have more skill."
Anderson said he'll be watching the interchange differently this week. He had sent the message for Monty Betham to get on to the field as 12th and last replacement seconds before Myles went down injured - they shouted at Betham to wait but he was two steps on the field and Myles two off it and the rules say that at that point the exchange is made.
"Of course it'll make me look differently at it this week - but then we were up by 18 at that stage."
He was pleased with the work done by long-term injured Awen Guttenbeil and Cleary last week. Both had told him they could improve.
"If Awen can sharpen up, I'll be a happy man,"Anderson beamed, obviously impressed with Guttenbeil's first-up effort.
"Ivan told me he knew he'd missed opportunities, that he was a shade short of the match fitness and just couldn't get there to take the ball, and that will come.
"They both need time to harden up."
The co-captaincy was working well. Jones and Campion room together, and decide between them who will do the toss, that person taking the lead.
"If they need a chat with the ref it's whoever's closest," Anderson said.
The only instruction he'd given them about the leadership was that if Cleary felt he could kick a goal, he should be given the shot - take the points and get the ball back.
"There's almost a second motive these days - most coaches want their side to have a rest."
It was an advantage that Campion could be the Warriors face for Australian media, and Jones for New Zealand, but that was a bonus rather than part of the reasoning for appointing the pair, Anderson said.
"I haven't had a huge amount of input into how they arrive at the decision-making on the field. I haven't had to."
Wests Tigers: Matt Seers, John Hopoate, Kevin McGuinness, Terry Hill, John Carlaw, John Simon, Craig Field, Jason Lowrie, Ciriaco Mescia, John Skandalis, Luke O'Donnell, Darren Senter (c), Tyran Smith; interchange Owen Craigie, Trent Runciman, Corey Pearson, Shane Walker.
New Zealand Warriors: Ivan Cleary, Henry Fa'afili, Richie Blackmore, Shontayne Hape, Francis Meli, Cliff Beverley, Stacey Jones (c), Ali Lauiti'iti, Jason Death, Jerry SeuSeu, Awen Guttenbeil, Logan Swann, Kevin Campion (c); interchange Mark Tookey, Justin Morgan, Monty Betham, Wairangi Koopu, Clinton Toopi (one to be omitted).
Rugby League: Anderson picks midfield rumble
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