NRL: McClennan likely as contract progresses

Brian McClennan. Photo / Getty Images

The identity of the next Warriors coach is unlikely to be announced this week.

A TV news bulletin on Monday night suggested former Kiwis coach Brian McClennan would be confirmed in the job at a press conference at 1pm yesterday.

That report was inaccurate, with club chief executive Wayne Scurrah saying the club remained on track for an announcement at the end of this month or early next month.

"It's unlikely there will be anything this week," Scurrah said.

McClennan is a near certainty to get the job.

The Herald understands the details of his contract are yet to be fully agreed, but the process is said to be running smoothly.

The Warriors have named an unchanged line-up for Sunday's match against the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium.

Utility Pita Godinet, who made a try-scoring debut in the 48-16 thrashing of South Sydney on Sunday, has been retained on the bench. Lance Hohaia is unavailable with a knee injury.

The 23-year-old Godinet scored the last of the Warriors' nine tries in a win that ensured they remain in sixth spot on 24 points.

The Warriors are on a roll, outscoring Souths, Canterbury and Gold Coast 106-24 to lift their for and against to plus 63 points.

Out-of-contract centre Joel Moon was named the players' player of the day after Sunday's match. Moon scored a try, set up another for Manu Vatuvei, ran for 119m and produced four offloads as he continued an impressive return to the side after being unwanted for much of the season.

Vatuvei's hat-trick against the Rabbitohs makes him the club's leading try-scorer this season with eight.

Monday night's win over the St George Illawarra Dragons kept the Raiders' faint playoff hopes alive.

Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday

WARRIORS
Kevin Locke
Bill Tupou
Joel Moon
Shaun Berrigan
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Shaun Johnson
Russell Packer
Aaron Heremaia
Jacob Lillyman
Feleti Mateo
Simon Mannering (c)
Micheal Luck

CANBERRA
Josh Dugan
Blake Ferguson
Jarrod Croker
Joel Thompson
Daniel Vidot
Josh McCrone
Sam Williams
Brett White
Alan Tongue (c)
Dane Tilse
Josh Papalii
Bronson Harrison
Shaun Fensom

Warriors: Pita Godinet, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor.

Canberra: Glen Buttriss, Josh Miller, Danny Galea, Sam Mataora, Joe Picker.