KEY POINTS:
Steve Price will start against the Roosters this afternoon in what is a major boost for the Warriors.
The 34-year-old skipper has played only 17 minutes this season, due to the torn hamstring he suffered in the opening match against champions Melbourne.
Price wasn't originally named in the squad to play the third-placed Roosters but announced yesterday he was fit to lead the side, despite the protestations of medical staff who wanted him to take another week off.
Five-eighth Michael Witt still hasn't recovered from the hip flexor injury he picked up against Canberra and a decision on his replacement will be made today. Ruben Wiki, who has come under fire of late, is also out with a rib injury.
Price's return comes at a good time for a side down on confidence and arguably playing worse this season than during their six-game losing streak of 2007.
During that period, they played reasonably well and generally lost by small margins.
This season, however, they have looked anything but top eight material and, with fullback Wade McKinnon injured, lack a player capable of doing something out of the ordinary.
Price's greatest contribution will be the leadership he provides. Too often this season, players have looked around for Price to give them the answers but found themselves on their own.
The Warriors' unbeaten home record is somewhat misleading. They haven't played particularly well all year, most notably on the road, and haven't yet played a good side at Mt Smart.
Their biggest problems have come inside both 20m lines. Their goalline defence has been ordinary at times and their attack static.
The best sides support the ball carrier with runners in motion but this isn't happening at the Warriors and it has usually fallen on Grant Rovelli to provide the spark, with indifferent results. When he has played well, it has been when his pack have dominated and that hasn't happened enough in 2008.
Price is expected to re-sign with the club for another season but there will be a number of changes in 2009.
Wiki has indicated this will be his last year and Logan Swann, Wairangi Koopu, Michael Crockett, Ryan Shortland and Aidan Kirk are unlikely to be retained. There are also a number of players in the under-20s who aren't up to NRL standard.
What is needed most is a quality half but they are as rare as Warriors' away wins - and just as valuable - and clubs circle like vultures when one becomes available.
They have already been linked with a big-money move for Broncos and NSW halfback Peter Wallace, even though he isn't off contract until the end of 2009, but so have four other clubs.
All the Warriors halves and hookers - Rovelli, Witt, Nathan Fien, Ian Henderson and Lance Hohaia - come off contract at the end of next season.
The recruitment puzzle is a difficult one to solve but is one the Warriors must overcome or they will be left behind.
WARRIORS vs ROOSTERS
4pm, Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors (from): Hohaia, Kirk, Tate, Ropati, Ah Van, Rovelli, Rapira, Fien, Price (c), Mannering, Lauaki, Luck, Tuimavave, Henderson, Swann, Fai, Packer, Matulino, Solomona (two to be omitted).
Roosters: Roberts, Perrett, Aubusson, Soliola, Kenny-Dowall, Anasta, Pearce, O'Meley, Brown, Myles, Mason, Sa, Fitzgibbon (c), Paea, Nuuausala, Tupou, Aubusson, Shillington, Cherrington (two to be omitted).
