Better defence can turn around Warriors' campaign

There have been moments of true grit - like some of the second half against Parramatta - but not enough. Photo / Getty Images

As the Warriors enter the second half of the season, their defence needs to be the key focus point.

It's the make or break - it's what could turn this campaign into a great one but also what could see another season fizzle out again.

There was a lot of talk from the Warriors early in the year about getting the defence right, about being on song when they don't have the ball.

So far it hasn't really happened. There have been moments of true grit - like some of the second half against Parramatta - but not enough. The Warriors are still conceding an average of more than 20 points a game, and allowing tries that are too soft.

Some things have improved, like their scrambling ability and their defensive attitude but it is often still too easy to score against the Auckland club.

So how can they improve? It's about being desperate, it's about controlling the ruck and it's about making good decisions on the edges. Melbourne are the kings in this area. They generally dominate the play-the-ball area, which makes it a lot easier to defend out wide.

When the Warriors have had problems this year - like against the Titans, Cowboys and Storm - it all started because they were getting over-run in the ruck area. Wrapping up the middle will be a good starting point. The edge defence has been patchy all season and that hasn't been helped by the constantly changing personnel, especially on the right.

But no matter who is lining up, the communication out wide needs to be a lot better and they have to chase from the inside out; don't stop just because the ball has been moved on.

It won't be easy on Sunday, with Shaun Johnson and Tui Lolohea forming another combination on the right. The two are both capable defenders but they'll be tested, especially by Joey Leilua.

It's never fun playing the Knights. They don't have the biggest pack but they are all tough nuts, with the Novocastrian approach that has defined the team down the decades. Beau Scott and Jeremy Smith are the best examples, they are unrelenting and will be out to intimidate.

Smith always seems to have a big game against the Warriors while Scott is becoming one of the most effective enforcers in the game. Remember what he did to Johnathan Thurston earlier in the year? That will be the recipe to upset Shaun Johnson and Sam Tomkins, to put them off their game and shut down their time and space.

Whatever is thrown at the Warriors, they have to weather it and focus on delivering their best, while hoping that the likes of Ryan Hoffman and Ben Matulino can deliver a few blows of their own. Tomkins will also add some polish to the Warriors attack; his timing in superb and he gets the best out of the players around him, especially when the team run set plays.