League: Price starting to get performances he wants

Steve Price is finally getting the type of football he wanted to be part of when he switched NRL clubs to join the Warriors.

The Price-skippered Warriors yesterday showed some of their razzle-dazzle of old when they ran in eight tries to three in overwhelming South Sydney 46-14 in Auckland.

Some of their attacking play had opposition coach Shaun McRae applauding.

"They scored some very good rugby league tries, some of which you just have to sit back and say there's not a great deal you can do about that," McRae said.

Price, who ended a decade with the Bulldogs when he came to Auckland over the summer, said one reason had made the switch was the type of football the Warriors were noted for.

"It was something when I first came here I was looking forward to -- being able to look over your shoulder and see guys like Clinton Toopi and Sione Faumuina running down the sidelines," he said.

"That happened (yesterday) and it was very exciting for me."

Toopi, making his 100th first-grade appearance, was among the tryscorers as the home side sealed victory with 26 unanswered points in the second half.

The result gave the Warriors, who face Wests Tigers in Christchurch next Saturday night, a 50 percent record after four rounds.

Price said he had believed all along that the Warriors had enough ability and it was a case of players backing themselves.

"We've enjoyed the whole week, we've taken a bit of pressure off each other and we just backed ourselves," he said.

"We've been very confident in our own ability and I think it showed. Whether it's defence or attack, if you think positive and you're enthusiastic, you can do those things."

Price's contribution against the Rabbitohs was another significant one. The 131m he made from 12 hit-ups was again the most by a Warrior forward and he racked up 22 tackles.

He also showed his ability to put teammates in space with the short ball and it was one of his passes that created the try for lock Monty Betham.

Betham's effort midway through the first half allowed the Warriors to hit the front for the first time.

Before the weekend, the Warriors hadn't won at home in five previous matches at Ericsson Stadium.

Their last success in front of their own fans was last July, when Souths were also the visitors.

Coach Tony Kemp admitted that the drought at home had been at the back of his mind, although it hadn't been something raised within the team.

He was "ecstatic" that the Warriors had been able to put 40 points on the board.

Having his players keep the Rabbitohs scoreless in the second half after they had been told at halftime to tighten up their defence was another positive aspect.

The Warriors' victory was one four "blow-outs" in the NRL over the weekend, the biggest of which was Melbourne's 50-4 thrashing of Brisbane.

Kemp said big scorelines were an indication that sides had to be switched on.

"It's just the way the `comp' has been going at the moment," he said

"I think what it says is that, if you don't show up mentally prepared to win, teams can put some points on you and it doesn't matter who it is."

- NZPA