League: Pride is enough motive, says Cleary

Coach Ivan Cleary is confident motivation won't be a factor when the Warriors host Cronulla in the NRL tomorrow night.

The Sharks, clinging to a top-eight spot by points difference alone, still have everything to play for.

However, the Warriors, whose playoff hopes were effectively extinguished with the 36-6 loss to Penrith last weekend, have mainly pride to drive them on.

But Cleary said his players' professionalism, as well as memories of a couple of poor performances, would be sufficient incentive at Mt Smart Stadium.

"It's almost a bit of a slap in the face to say they can only be motivated by making the finals," he said.

"Certainly we weren't happy with what we dished out at the weekend. They're all proud guys and they'll be looking to get out there and show what they can really do."

Another display the Warriors wanted to put right was their last meeting with the Sharks, in Sydney in late May.

They went down 34-20 that night in what Cleary said at the time was their worst performance of the year.

The Warriors are without two key players in suspended vice-captain Ruben Wiki and lock Sione Faumuina, who is out with a season-ending injury.

Wiki's absence means Evarn Tuimavave, who sat out against the Panthers, will start as prop.

The Warriors also welcome back fullback Brent Webb after his hip injury. His replacement, Patrick Ah Van, moves back to the wing.

Cleary said the return of the Leeds-bound Webb was a boost, and not just for his individual skills.

"Patrick has been doing a good job, but in terms of familiarity and seniority, it's a different feel out there with Brent."

The Sharks, who earlier had a sequence of eight wins from nine matches, have lost their last five.

They arrived in Auckland on Wednesday, a day earlier that usual in the hope that a change in routine might freshen up their preparation.

Cleary said the Warriors were braced for a fired-up effort from Cronulla.

"They're obviously going to be desperate," he said.

The Cronulla squad features a couple of former Warriors in Kiwi centre Nigel Vagana and ex-Kangaroo prop Richard Villasanti.

- NZPA