KEY POINTS:
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary is picking the Manly Sea Eagles to take his team on up front tomorrow.
That's what they'd be doing after watching how the Storm unravelled the Warriors' defence, Cleary predicted this week as he prepared the side for a second consecutive tough away game.
Manly lead the NRL table thanks to a formidable defensive effort, conceding just three tries and only 22 points in their three games so far.
Their attack has been nothing flash, amassing 81 points, with the only facets that stand out being the hard and solid approach in the forwards and the work of Michael Monaghan at halfback and Jamie Lyon in midfield.
The Warriors have a good record at Brookvale Oval and are keen to atone for the shambles they were for the first 20 minutes in Melbourne.
The approach to this game had been no different, Cleary said. "We're looking forward to improving on what we served up last weekend."
The game against the Storm was gone after the first quarter - they could not afford to give good teams a head start. But apart from that first 20 minutes, they had not played too badly, Cleary said. The kicking game needed improvement.
Nathan Fien starts at hooker ahead of George Gatis in the only change to the team that lost to the Storm, Cleary calling that a horses-for-courses switch. But better kicking early on is sure to be part of Fien's brief. The Warriors need faster clearance from the ruck and scrums. Gatis' dummy-half running may be more telling against tiring players.
For captain Steve Price, focus this week has been on increasing the concentration of the team so mistakes are not made early on and at the wrong end of the ground.
Rumour continues that halfback Matt Orford and/or veteran backrower Steve Menzies will return for Manly after injuring themselves in round one. Orford, with a medial ligament strain, is said to be less of a chance than Menzies, who had a groin/abdominal problem. Neither was named mid-week but it would not surprise if Eagles coach Des Hasler thought he could gain some psychological advantage by having the pair run out at Brookvale tomorrow.
Kiwis centre Steve Matai is sure to miss the game but is expected to play the Bulldogs next weekend as his only chance to gain selection for the Anzac test.
Manly have not been tested in wins over the Raiders (32-6), Tigers (19-8) and Roosters (30-8). The Eagles have won three of the last four games against the Warriors but the Warriors have won the last four at Brookvale.
The NZ Lions will start the same forward pack that narrowly lost to the Bulldogs against the Sea Eagles reserve grade.
Brookvale Oval, 4pm tomorrow
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Jamie Lyon, Chris Hicks, Travis Burns, Michael Monaghan, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite (c), A. Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson
Interchange: Clint Halden, Glenn Hall, George Rose, Mark Bryant.
NZ Warriors: Wade McKinnon, Michael Crockett, Tony Martin, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck
Interchange: George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira.
