KEY POINTS:
After successfully curbing the influence of one struggling National Rugby League (NRL) star, the New Zealand Warriors face another damage limitation exercise in Sydney tomorrow night.
Johnathan Thurston was confined to just one moment of magic as the Warriors condemned the North Queensland Cowboys to a 10th successive loss at Mt Smart Stadium last weekend.
A neat chip and regather by the Queensland State of Origin halfback proved the catalyst for John Williams second try five minutes before the Warriors prevailed 24-14.
Sonny Bill Williams offers a different skill set - but looms as just as dangerous when the 15th-placed Bulldogs try to keep their faint play-off hopes aflicker at ANZ Stadium.
"We came up against one of the game's elite players last Saturday in Thurston and this week we face another one - Sonny Bill is in outstanding form," said Warriors coach Ivan Cleary.
Williams was imperious as the Bulldogs snapped a five-match losing streak in Brisbane by upsetting the Broncos 26-18, scoring a try and generally running amok despite back pain that has seen him train conservatively this week.
"He's an incredibly hard man to contain. He plays what he sees in front of him and that makes him even more dangerous," Cleary said.
"He certainly doesn't leave anything to chance. Against the Roosters he did a grubber kick inside his own in goal area ... that's the way he plays, the mentality he's got."
Cleary believed the key to keeping Williams on a tight lead was similar to the policy against Thurston - the Warriors had to contain the players around him.
There was a chance Williams may not front, but a club spokesman said he successfully negotiated a training session at Belmore earlier today.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes admitted in retrospect he should not have risked Williams in Brisbane - but he had no choice as the Bulldogs battle to keep their season alive.
Williams has undergone extensive physiotherapy and encouragingly ran freely this morning.
Fit again prop Jarrad Hickey and halfback Arana Taumata were nominated in that category - the front rower has been eating into some hard yards for a pack ravaged by injury while the Wainuiomata-raised 19-year-old has stepped and swerved to a try in each of his three first grade appearances.
"Their back row is an good as any in the comp," Cleary added.
"You're never comfortable when they've got the football but both sides have struggled defensively this year - we probably see a few areas there where we can maybe have some joy."
The Bulldogs (454) and Warriors (445) boast the two worst defences in the competition after 19 rounds so the points are likely to flow thick and fast - a fact that irked Cleary.
"I don't feel we're conceding tries through a build-up of pressure and that's a concern," he said.
"Tries are made out of bad call or decisions or our players and that's concerning. If we can cut those poor decisions out we might be looking all right."
The Bulldogs will no doubt employ an aerial assault to probe a Warriors back three featuring raw wingers Aiden Kirk and Malo Solomona given the Warriors have the competition's worst success rate at defusing kicks - a damaging 37 per cent.
Cleary felt the Bulldogs would take new heart from their success at Suncorp Stadium but felt his own side - one point outside the eight but with a debilitating - 117 points differential - was also on a good head space away recording wins either side of the bye.
"It's been a while since we've had a bad week. Confidence has improved and feeling around the camp is a lot better."
However, the feel good factor may be diminished if the Warriors cannot produce a repeat of their 36-16 home win in April.
On paper it is one of the Warriors easier assignments given premiers Melbourne, the resurgent Rabbitohs plus the Broncos, Sharks, Dragons, Penrith and the Eels follow.
- NZPA
