League: Kemp keeps the faith

New Zealand Warriors coach Tony Kemp has kept faith with the side that narrowly lost to the Bulldogs for Saturday's crucial National Rugby League clash against the Roosters.

The Warriors were beaten 26-24 in Auckland on Sunday, and the same 13 starting players and interchange bench will front in Sydney as the club looks to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

"Once again we were so close to two competition points," Kemp said in naming his side today.

"We know these players have the ability to go on with it. We saw that when they beat Brisbane and we have confidence in them matching that performance again."
Kemp said the disappointment of successive losses since the Brisbane victory had to be put to one side as the club launched a rearguard bid to reach the play-offs.
With seven matches remaining, the Warriors, currently in 12th place on 16 points, need to win at least five games to make the top-eight.

"Every match from now on will be like a grand final for us. That's the position we're in," Kemp said.

The Roosters are in seventh place on 20 points, but their playing roster took a hit when firebrand utility forward Michael Crocker was handed a two-match ban earlier this week.

Prop Adrian Morley and centre Ryan Cross have also been sidelined due to suspension.

Meanwhile, influential Warriors captain Steve Price is expected to make an early comeback from knee surgery for next Saturday's game against Canberra.

The prop was expected to be out until the Warriors final regular season match against Manly late next month, but should receive an early clearance.

Warriors: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Clinton Toopi, Jerome Ropati, Todd Byrne, Nathan Fien, Stacey Jones (captain), Ruben Wiki, Lance Hohaia, Richard Villasanti, Sione Faumuina, Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham. Interchange: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Awen Guttenbeil, Simon Mannering.

- NZPA