League: The Lone Ranger

Former Cowboys halfback Nathan Fien has been behind enemy lines and is ready to divulge all he knows to ensure the Warriors rein in his old club.

While he can't wait to come face to face with his old mates at Ericsson Stadium today, he has mixed feelings about the emotion-charged encounter.

"It's going to be pretty special but a weird feeling playing so many good mates," said the 25-year-old hooker who spent eight years with the North Queensland club. "My heart is with the Warriors now and I want to play a role for this team to get the two points and some consistent success."

Success is something the Warriors have tasted little of in recent times. The last time they won back-to-back games was in the finals series in September 2003.

Warriors coach Tony Kemp hopes his side can back up from its impressive 24-12 win over the Broncos last week but he admits planning for the Cowboys is a difficult proposition.

"I don't think they have a weakness," he confessed. "They were unlucky not to make the grand final last year and they have the consistency we're looking for."

As a result, Fien has been added to the brains trust of Kemp and assistants Ivan Cleary and former Cowboy Kevin Campion to create a gameplan that counters the Cowboys' strengths.

"I know how all of those boys' minds work so that gives me an upper hand in reading the options they may take," Fien said. "Campo and I have talked about it and we can't wait to beat them."

That will be no mean feat considering the Cowboys have been one of the form sides in the first two rounds, pushing the Broncos close and then beating defending champions the Bulldogs 24-12 at home last weekend.

The Cowboys had a fairytale run in the 2004 NRL final series when Fien played a leading hand from halfback. They won seven of their last nine games and fell desperately short of making the grand final.

He has taken a deliberately low-key approach to today's big game. While he caught up with a few of his old team-mates in Brisbane last week, he was conscious of not talking up the clash. He does, though, expect plenty of talk on the field.

"It's football at the highest level so I'm sure they'll be giving me some stick to get an advantage but I have some pretty big boys next to me to sort them out," Fien joked.

The Townsville-based side failed to renew Fien's contract when it expired at the end of last season and when the Warriors came knocking with the offer of a three-year deal he jumped at the chance.

"They have all the talent in the world over here and two years ago could beat the best. It's just a matter of giving that ability direction."

While Fien was instrumental in helping to beat the Warriors last year, he was dropped for the return match soon after he'd signalled his intentions to leave.

His old side adopted a simple gameplan to beat the Warriors on both occasions.

"We were told to hang with them because they had discipline problems and if you waited you would have them. But this year is different," he said.

What is different from last week is the absence of in-form Ruben Wiki, out for four weeks after a high tackle.

Wiki's work rate has been impressive in the opening two rounds and against the Broncos he led the tackle, hit-up and offload count for the Warriors.

"We still have Pricey [Steve Price] there. What we lack in experience, we will make up for with enthusiasm," said Fien.

Sione Faumuina will start for the Warriors today on his 24th birthday in place of the injured centre Tony Martin (back) and a late decision will be made on fullback Brent Webb (back).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY