NRL: Defensive energy key for Warriors against Rabbitohs, says coach Stephen Kearney

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney believes an energetic defensive effort is key to his side's hopes of beating the Rabbitohs in tomorrow's NRL clash at Mt Smart Stadium.

The third-ranked Warriors are looking to build on last week's away win over Parramatta and rediscover the consistency that saw them go unbeaten through the first five rounds before falling to three defeats in their last six matches.

Desperate goal line defence, a straight chasing line, and strong tackling in the middle has defined the Warriors most impressive victories this season over the likes of the table-topping Dragons, Wests Tigers, Eels, and their round one win over the Rabbitohs in Perth.

If there's one thing Kearney wants to see from his side this week, it's that same intensity and determination to keep their line intact, as they look to avoid a third defeat in front of their home fans.

"When we've played our best footy we've had a great defensive energy," said Kearney.

"We had that last week and when we've had our wins, I reckon most of the time it's been built off the back of that.

"So with that, it looks like the kick-chase and our try line defence and all those bits that everyone calls the one-percenters. That's really important for us."

The fourth-placed Rabbitohs have posted three straight wins over the Knights, Dragons and Cowboys, and arrive much improved from the outfit that started the season with captain Greg Inglis, gun second-rower Angus Crichton, and halfback Adam Reynolds all working their way back from injuries.

Kearney reiterated the point that attitude and discipline will be vital to his side once again containing a formidable Rabbitohs pack also featuring the three Burgess brothers, Sam, George and Tom, and in-form 293-game veteran John Sutton.

"First and foremost, if we turn up with the right attitude and the right mindset, that's a pretty big start," he said.

"And it's about making sure that we're disciplined because when you give them free metres coming out of trouble it makes it easy for them.

"So we've got to be disciplined with our defence, particularly when they're coming out of the back-field, and make the big guys go behind the footy to take a bit of gas out of them.

"We're pretty clear on what we need to do we've just got to make sure we go out there and do a good job of executing that."

The loss of Rabbitohs speedster Alex Johnston to a hamstring injury has forced Inglis to switch from centre to fullback, but the Warriors believe they can minimise the Queensland and Kangaroos star's influence by stifling his side's go-forward.

"Greg, wherever you put him, he's a threat," said Kearney. "Put it this way, we won't be kicking to him intentionally.

"But Greg, like the big guys we've spoken about, I don't think you can take his effect right out of the game, but you can certainly limit what impact he does have so we'll be looking to try and do that."

Warriors v Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday, 7.30pm

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6.Blake Green 7. Mason Lino 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Simon Mannering 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Chris Satae 16. Bunty Afoa 17.Isaiah Papali'i 18. Gerard Beale 20. Karl Lawton 21. Albert Vete 22. Anthony Gelling

Rabbitohs: 1. Greg Inglis 2. Campbell Graham 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Dane Gagai 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Cameron Murray 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Jason Clark 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Robbie Farah 19. Robert Jennings 20. Braidon Burns 21. Kyle Turner

Referees: Grant Atkins, Phil Henderson

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