League: Unchanged Warriors side to play Souths

The Warriors won 30 - 18 against Newcastle on Sunday. Picture / Brett Phibbs.

The New Zealand Warriors will take an unchanged 17 into the National Rugby League match against South Sydney on Sunday as they chase three consecutive wins for the first time since 2003.

Coach Ivan Cleary had the luxury of naming an unchanged team today from last weekend's 30-18 win over Newcastle in Auckland.

He selected the same starting backline for a third consecutive match.

A stable line-up had been reflected in the Warriors' recent performances, Cleary said, as they eye bottom-placed Souths at Sydney's Telstra Stadium after wins over Sydney City and Newcastle.

"We have been concentrating on putting together a series of consistent efforts and we've achieved that in our last three matches against Brisbane, the Roosters and now the Knights," Cleary said.

"While the performance against the Broncos didn't give us a win, we were really pleased with the effort.

"That consistency was translated into wins against the Roosters and the Knights but now we have to maintain that level and keep improving if it's to continue."

Their previous run of three consecutive wins came three years ago when the Warriors made the playoffs.

Sunday's victory over Newcastle was their sixth of the season but they are still 13th, six points outside the top eight, after being docked four points pre-season for salary cap breaches.

The top-eight playoffs are still an outside chance but Cleary felt Souths were potential banana skin opponents despite winning just one of 14 matches this year.

"They broke through for their first win of the year against Brisbane two weeks ago and they've been close to success so many other times this season."

The Warriors are chasing their third home-and-away double of the year on Sunday.

They beat Souths 46-14 in Auckland in April, and on Sunday achieved successive wins overs Newcastle after doing the same previously to Wests Tigers.

The Warriors have an excellent record against Souths, having won 12 of the 15 matches between the sides.

The only concern is the appointment of referee Gavin Badger for the match.

Badger has officiated three times in Warriors matches this year, all resulting in losses - against Canberra, the Bulldogs and St George Illawarra.

Warriors

Brent Webb, Patrick Ah Van, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki (vice-captain), Nathan Fien, Steve Price (captain), Awen Guttenbeil, Louis Anderson, Sione Faumuina.

Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Wairangi Koopu, Micheal Luck.

- NZPA