League: Warriors running out of excuses

The Warriors are looking to play themselves back into a winning form with a hit on South Sydney at North Sydney today.

The Rabbitohs are using the Bears' ground just over the Harbour Bridge to host the game because of a clash with the Super 12 semifinal.

They haven't won there since the early 90s; the Warriors have not won there in two attempts against the Bears when they were in the premiership.

The heat is on Stacey Jones. Handed the captaincy, which has not always helped his game, it is he who has been charged also with firing the team on attack.

The Warriors have had no trouble getting to the opposition red zone in recent games - it's been scoring that's been the problem.

Much of the time, the team look like they're waiting for Jones to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

They have faltered in the scoring stakes through a lack of invention and execution on the opposition line.

Set plays have been fumbled, they have lacked a second-phase threat and there's been little use of depth and speed on attack.

The kicking game has often been too short, too deep or gone dead.

But Jones is not the Jones of old.

Souths are the easy-beats of a competition that is far more even than in recent years.

They seem softer than ever, if that's possible, due not least to injury to all of their big-name players. Club captain Bryan Fletcher, leading try-scorer Adam MacDougall, his in-form brother Luke and stand-in captain Ashley Harrison are all ruled out through injury or suspension.

The Rabbitohs do not have the pack to contain the Warriors if the visitors turn up ready to roll. And in the backs they are noted for falling off tackles.

If the Warriors cannot beat this mob they might as well hang up their boots.

The Manly club has signed up coach Des Hasler for two further seasons.

As the heat comes on the use of caffeine and performance-enhancing supplements, Souths issued a statement opposing their use and Roosters and NSW Blues coach Ricky Stuart did likewise, citing the bad image pill-popping put out for kids.

Sydney, 9.30 tonight

WARRIORS
Brent Webb
Francis Meli
Todd Byrne
Jerome Ropati
Manu Vatuvei
Sione Faumuina
Stacey Jones (c)
Ruben Wiki
Lance Hohaia
Richard Villasanti
Louis Anderson
Awen Guttenbeil
Wairangi Koopu
Reserves: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Clinton Toopi, Tevita Klatu, 18th man Evarn Tuimavave.

RABBITOHS
Todd Polglase
Brad Watts
Shannon Hegarty
Lee Hookey
Garth Wood
John Sutton
Ben Walker
Peter Cusack (c)
Trent Young
Scott Logan
David Fa'alogo
Luke Stuart
Shane Rigon
Reserves: Mark Minichiello, Scott Geddes, Mick Moran, Manase Manuokafoa.