League: Cleary prefers draws to golden point

Ivan Cleary

Coach Ivan Cleary is hoping his New Zealand Warriors can win in regulation time when they tackle Parramatta in the National Rugby League in Auckland tomorrow night.

Cleary, who had his first experience of golden point last Sunday as either player or coach, isn't a fan of the tiebreak format.

And it isn't because the Warriors were on the receiving end against the Bulldogs.

"I don't see anything wrong with a draw and I'm not just saying that because we lost," Cleary said.

"I think it helps the competition table as well. It's probably a better chance that, when the finals are decided, they're not decided on for and against. I always think that's a good thing."

Cleary said the Warriors had been able to bounce back after being initially "pretty gutted" over the 22-18 loss to the Bulldogs.

He was wary of the players being down about the result, but the mood in the camp improved ahead of the clash with the Eels.

"It was more important to focus on the positives rather than the fact that we didn't win," he said.

"We probably played as well as in any other game. We were just unfortunate we didn't get the cash."

The match against Parramatta at Mt Smart Stadium pitches together two clubs who are outside the top eight, but who have shown good form of late and still retain slim playoff hopes.

The Warriors, who are 13th on the table, had managed four consecutive wins before going down to the Bulldogs.

Parramatta have put aside the off-field dramas that have plagued them through much of the season to compile their own streak.

They made it three victories in a row last weekend with their best performance of the year, overwhelming Newcastle 46-12 to lift themselves to 12th.

Cleary has made one change to his 17, with George Gatis coming in for Lance Hohaia as the interchange hooker.

While Hohaia had the more dynamic style, he said Gatis was the more conventional dummy half and his inclusion was aimed at providing stability on either side of halftime.

Cleary played down the effect the loss of halfback Tim Smith, who broke his collarbone against the Knights and has been replaced by Jeremy Smith, would have on Parramatta's chances.

"They've got another Smith coming in who has done well for them," he said.

"I thought Tim Smith looked like he was getting into some form, but they've got a good enough team and good enough options. Whoever is in there is going to be a handful."

Jeremy Smith makes his return after a four-match suspension for pushing referee Sean Hampstead in the Eels' 8-1 loss to St George Illawarra.

The ban ended Smith's chance of a Kiwi debut against Great Britain last month.

Home fans will also get the opportunity to assess Parramatta fullback Wade McKinnon.

McKinnon moves to the Warriors next season as replacement for Leeds-bound Brent Webb, but Cleary said there would be no instructions to go easy on the new signing.

"Absolutely not. He's just another guy in a yellow jersey."

- NZPA