League: Coach Stephen Kearney proud of Warriors' resilient response

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney praised halfback Shaun Johnson and backline utility Peta Hiku after they responded to criticism to produce strong performances in yesterday's 26-6 NRL win over Brisbane.

The pair took the brunt of the blame for a limp attacking and weak defensive effort in last week's loss to Penrith but turned things around in a dominant team display against the Broncos.

Kearney made a late change swapping Hiku to the left wing with Gerard Beale replacing him at right centre, and Johnson made good on his promise to get more involved on attack behind a strong showing from the Warriors forwards.

"Two guys that came in for a bit of heat last week, Shaun and Peta, they responded really well," said Kearney.

"I was really pleased for them. As I said last week, Pet's done a pretty good job for the majority of the year and as much as we don't like it, you're entitled to a bad day at the office some times. It's just making sure it's not all the time."

The Warriors targeted the Broncos right-side defence and continually made inroads through left-centre Solomone Kata who finished with two tries and narrowly missed a third, while left-edge second-rower Isaiah Papali'i also came within centimetres of scoring just before halftime.

Kearney revealed the side had worked hard to expand their attacking options after relying heavily on the likes of Johnson, injured second-rower Tohu Harris, and the competition's second best try-scorer, David Fusitu'a, to conjure points down their right side.

"Because we had a fair bit of joy down our right side early on in the season, we've worked pretty hard on our left-edge attack over the last month," he said.

"Even against the Sharks, Isaiah put Sol in the corner for a try and they were pretty good that night.

"It's just about working out where we can be better and we've got some pretty good strike over the other side too with Fusitu'a so they had a good run of it over there, but the left edge has been good in the last few games."

With Kiwi test wing Ken Maumalo hoping to return from a knee injury for next Sunday's clash against Melbourne at Mt Smart Stadium, Kearney may have to deal with a welcome selection headache in the outside backs.

"I was always intending to play Gerard at right centre, it was just where Peta was going to fit into the equation," he said.

"We'll see how that pans out through the course of the week."

Kearney was also pleased with the contribution of hooker Issac Luke and felt both he and Hiku's below-par form against the Penrith Panthers was partly a result of the two Kiwi internationals having to play several games in a short time frame, following the grueling Denver test.

"I've been impressed with [Luke] all year," he said.

"Those guys that had some rep duty were a bit flat last week. They got back from Denver and then played the Friday night against the Sharks with the momentum and energy that they had, but often it hits you a week later.

"Both those guys were flat last week against the Panthers, but Bully came out today and performed really well."

Luke crossed for the Warriors' third try just before halftime and was a constant handful out of dummy half, with Kearney acknowledging the club remains in talks to re-sign him beyond this season.

"That's something we're working through with him at the moment so we'll just see how it all pans out," he said.