League: Perth win needed for Warriors

The Warriors badly need a win to bolster confidence as they head into the second third of the season.

As much as the club has been scrutinised lately over everything from its handling of the departure of test centre Vinnie Anderson and icon Stacey Jones, to finances, falling gate and season ticket sales, everyone will be subject to much more focus if the record this season slips further.

They are three wins from seven and after facing the in-form Sharks in Perth tonight the Roosters come to Ericsson Stadium next weekend.

It was after a 58-6 thumping from the Roosters in round 12 last year, with just three wins on the board, that Daniel Anderson was replaced as coach by Tony Kemp.

The messages from the club before Anderson's departure were all positive, so Kemp is unlikely to get any more indication of his future or how bad the win-loss record will be allowed to get before further change is seen than did the Warriors' previous four coaches. In 10 seasons, no coach has survived more than three or gone voluntarily.

The last thing the club needs is further instability. A crowd of around 15,000 is needed to break even; the Warriors are averaging around 12,000.

While the club's management sent out assurances that the $400,000 it requested from minor shareholders was a once-off to relieve cashflow problems, the poor record and falling crowd numbers will impact on ability to improve things as well as decreasing the attraction of the side for potential players.

On the up side, wins against the Sharks and Roosters would hold them in the top eight and give the team some self-belief for games against Souths at North Sydney Oval then the Dragons at Wollongong.

Instability within the team has not helped Kemp this season, leaders Monty Betham and Ruben Wiki both sidelined for long periods through suspension along with hooker Tevita Latu, and regular starters Tony Martin, Brent Webb and now Nathan Fien out for weeks through injury.

Cronulla have played five times in Perth for two wins and one loss to the Western Reds when they were in existence in 1997. It's hoped around 15,000 will turn out at the Perth Glory soccer team's ground tonight, with 10,000 tickets sold yesterday and good weather predicted.

Factors that have been helping the Sharks to victory this season are Brett Kimmorley's kicking game and ability to hit the right runners with his long passes and the team's defence.

The Sharks have conceded just 20 tries this season, just 114 points at an average around 16 while the Warriors have conceded 150 points at an average 21 a game.

It is Kimmorley who must be contained, his time and space limited. Much depends on Warrior Jerome Ropati's ability to penetrate the Sharks defence in the middle of the park. It is hoped that Brent Webb has fully recovered from his back injury because his injection into the attack is also crucial to their chances.

* WARRIORS v SHARKS, PERTH, tonight 11.30 (NZ time)

WARRIORS

Brent Webb
Francis Meli
Todd Byrne
Clinton Toopi
Manu Vatuvei
Jerome Ropati
Stacey Jones
Ruben Wiki
Louis Anderson
Steve Price (c)
Awen Guttenbeil
Karl Temata
Wairangi Koopu

SHARKS

David Peachey
David Simmons
Nigel Vagana
Paul Mellor
Luke Covell
Adam Dykes
B. Kimmorley (c)
Jason Stevens
Matt Hilder
Danny Nutley
Reece Williams
Phil Bailey
Paul Gallen

RESERVES

Warriors: Epalahame Lauaki, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Richard Villasanti, Lance Hohaia.

Sharks: Hutch Maiava, Phil Leuluai, Michael Sullivan, Greg Bird.