NRL: Defiant Warriors look for sixth-straight win

The Warriors are succeeding despite several setbacks. Photo / Getty Images

One victory away from their best winning streak since their NRL grand final year, the Warriors couldn't care less that they're still being written off.

With five straight wins under their belts they'll again be underdogs when they face South Sydney, who've lost four of their past five, at ANZ Stadium tomorrow.

Four of those Warriors victories have come over highly rated sides - the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta, Penrith and Melbourne.

Even their away record, usually a cause for concern, isn't an issue this time, with wins in their last three games on the road.

"You try not to take too much notice of that because I guess people do write us off a bit," captain Simon Mannering said.

"We just stick within the group and believe in each other's ability.

"Whether they are saying you can't do it or can do it, it can definitely play on the mind.

" ... It does make it a bit nicer, but if you always believed that you could do it then there's no surprises there."

The Warriors' best streak was eight wins between rounds seven and 14 in 2002, the year the club reached its only grand final, a 30-8 loss to the Sydney Roosters.

A win over Souths would equal their second best streak of six, first set in the club's debut year of 1995.

"I don't use that as motivation," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"The bottom line is we're enjoying winning, so wouldn't mind doing it again.

"I love winning, we all love winning around here, doesn't matter if you're trying to prove anything.

"You go in there every year, whether you've got expectations or not, if someone thinks you're going to go well or not, we just have our own expectations and that's not necessarily where we're going to end up but what we do and what we put into it.

"I'm happy for the boys that preparation has turned in to results."

The over-achievers of 2010 managed to stay within striking distance of the top eight despite nagging injuries to key players Brent Tate, Brett Seymour, Mannering and former Queensland forward Jacob Lillyman.

Cleary admits "it would be nice" to make the top four and earn a home final.

"We've had our share of adversity this year," he said.

"If you keep winning then things take care of themselves."

Things haven't been taking care of themselves for the Rabbitohs, who have been far from poor but unable to close out the tight ones.

They will again be without creative spark Issac Luke (shoulder), while inspirational prop Luke Stuart (hand) is also missing, with Sam Burgess moving up to the front row and Michael Crocker starting in the second row.

Englishman Burgess can expect some extra attention from the Warriors.

"He's a dominant force and he's keeping them in the game at the moment," centre Jerome Ropati said.

"I think he's their most important player and he's someone we need to shut down."

- AAP