Ruben Wiki: We have the experience to make a charge

I stood up at a team meeting this week and told the guys that I want to play finals footy.

I don't normally say much but I felt it was important to get the message across because we have now reached a point where it's do or die. There really is no tomorrow if we lose but I'm confident we will make the top eight - I certainly haven't contemplated not making the playoffs.

It's easy to look back at the games we should have won which would see us comfortably in the top eight (Roosters, Sharks, Panthers, etc) but there is no value in doing that. It's the next eight games we have to concentrate on. We need two points today and must get on a roll to make a late charge up the table.

We've really missed Steve Price and the leadership and professionalism he brings to the team. It's true that no one can replace him, but we have to move on.

We might have a young side but we also have one with a lot of guys who have played more than 100 and even 200 games, and guys who have played test football, so you can never argue this is an inexperienced team.

After the heights of beating the Broncos a fortnight ago, we came back down to earth with a thump last week against the Cowboys. Every professional has an off day but we all seemed to have it last week as we let a golden opportunity slip to get on something of a roll.

I certainly know it's time for me to stand up and lead this side, because the forwards need to set the platform for Stacey Jones, and the likes of Nathan Fien to take control.

We went away from our bread and butter last week - getting go-forward and putting in a good kick and chase game - and it cost us.

One of the problems we face today is that the Bulldogs will be just as desperate as we are and, excuse the pun, we can't afford to give them a sniff.

They're on 17 points, one more than us, and have had an ordinary year by their standards. But, even though they've had a lot of injuries, they're a quality outfit and will be boosted by the return of Willie Mason, if he plays today, and Mark O'Meley.

It's up to me, Richard Villasanti and Iafeta Paleaaesina to stop O'Meley and Roy Asotasi. If those two get on the front foot then the rest of the side will too. Stopping those two is one of the major personal goals I have put down for today.

I'd love to see the drums back at Ericsson Stadium this afternoon, they were brilliant against the Broncos, so I might put an SOS out to them.

But what is more important is a win or it will be a long road to the end of the season.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY