KEY POINTS:
The Warriors were thrashed in training during the bye week so as to simulate the physicality of a game. The focus as they go to Penrith is on starting well and holding the ball.
The remarkable achievement of an 81 per cent completion rate against Canberra in the wet in their last game has been set as a target for future matches.
"I'd back us every week if we could complete 30 sets of six," said assistant coach John Ackland while reflecting on their performance against the Raiders. "Against Manly [a 52-6 loss] we completed 16 - if we had Andrew Johns, Ali Lauitiiti and Johnny Raper we couldn't win completing 16 sets."
Ackland ran things while head coach Ivan Cleary was in Christchurch with the Crusaders, learning how they win more than they lose away from home. "We do a lot of the same things they do so that's encouraging because they win," Ackland said.
The Warriors have worked hard to tighten up the defence. "We had to didn't we? We've been conceding lots of points even at home. Canberra was the first game we've won with defence and at this level you have to be able to win with defence."
Jerome Ropati's return to the midfield will assist that. Ropati comes in for Brent Tate who is away with the Queensland State of Origin side. Ropati enjoyed a dream run without injury until this season, when he has suffered one after the other - shoulder, knee, ankle, hamstring. "It's been frustrating but it's made me a bit wiser about my body," he said, still just 23 but with a wealth of NRL and test experience.
"I'm learning what aggravates it, the hamstring especially. The time off has given me a chance to reflect on how the body copes."
Ropati feels the added responsibility of coming back as Tate goes out, putting pressure on him to come up with attacking plays. "I have a chance to lead. That's the pressure I know I have to carry off."
But just getting through the game is goal number one. Then, he'd like to reproduce his good form when he has played this season so as to put himself back in contention for the Kiwis. "The World Cup is a goal. I always want to play for the Kiwis."
He felt the national team last weekend performed better than they did in 2007 and the feedback from the players about the coaching change and Wayne Bennett's involvement was all positive.
The Panthers have lost three of their four home games this season, going down to the Raiders 26-22, to the Roosters 28-12, to the Eels in their last match at CUA Stadium 26-18 and beating only lowly Souths, just, 20-16.
Their fan base has dwindled and the last-game capitulation, as Parramatta came from behind to snatch victory, is unlikely to boost their average crowd of around 13,000. They have a 12-to-nine win record over the Warriors.
This game promises to be close and will be won up front. Utility Luke Lewis takes the halfback and playmaker role for the home team and the Warriors need to put him under the pump given his unfamiliarity in the role - any milliseconds of hesitation need to be taken advantage of, any chance to shut down his options and force him to take a tackle will be valuable.
The Warriors have named a five-man bench with veteran Ruben Wiki available again after a wrist injury kept him out of the Canberra game. It's likely teen prop Russell Packer will be the one to drop off, given the need to maintain leadership throughout the interchange.
Meanwhile Brent Tate did not train with the Queensland side yesterday after breaking down at training on Thursday.
Tate left the park at Sanctuary Cove with the left knee that was reconstructed last year hurting. Later, he said it was fluid on the knee and a matter of managing his training schedule to avoid over-working and that he was confident of playing on Wednesday.
