NRL: Rapira wary of struggling Bulldogs

Sam Rapira. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Warriors are reading little in the Bulldogs' rough patch of form as they look to build on their own return to winnings ways in the National Rugby League.

The two sides square up in Auckland tomorrow night, with the visitors desperate to improve on a run of just two wins in nine matches, including defeats in the past two rounds.

But Warrior Sam Rapira said what he saw when he looked down the Canterbury team sheet was a line-up which could not be taken lightly.

He pointed to strike power on the edges with the likes of centre Jamal Idris and Kiwis second rower Frank Pritchard.

He also warned of a tough pack which also had the ball-playing ability of another Kiwi in Greg Eastwood, who will be used off the bench.

"All I can see is a good side, " Rapira said.

"Whether they've been performing or whatever, they have the goods to put points on teams. We have to stick to our gameplan and give it to them."

After their own sticky stretch of four successive defeats, the Warriors got their campaign back on track by beating Gold Coast 22-6 at home last Friday night.

While they scored four tries, the victory was also a testament to some stingy defence, as the Titans didn't manage one line break.

With other results last weekend falling their way, the Warriors found themselves rising from ninth to sixth in the standings.

However, the congestion in the middle of the table means the 11th placed Bulldogs sit just two points below them and could overtake them with a big enough win.

Rapira, 24, will again start on the bench in his second match back from a thumb injury he received early in the Anzac test in early May.

With Auckland's wet weather expected to continue through to game time, the Kiwis prop expects to be involved in a physical battle up front.

"This game will definitely be won in the middle," he said.

"If we dominate them early and keep that going, we'll be a good chance."

With the Bulldogs struggling under the high ball against competition leaders Melbourne last weekend, fullback Ben Barba and the rest of the back three can expected to be targeted by the Warriors' kickers.

"We'll probably be putting a few up," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"It's probably the same as with any other fullback. That's part of the gig when you're playing in the back three, you have to expect that sort of thing.

"We're always looking to put anyone under pressure so there's no difference there."

But Barba also showed how lethal he could be on kick returns when he gathered a chip against the Storm and scored a 60m solo try.

Barba played a key role the last time the Bulldogs were in Auckland two years ago, scoring a try one minute from fulltime to clinch a 18-14 victory.

The last meeting between the sides featured another big finish, with the Warriors winning 30-24 in Sydney last year after Lance Hohaia dotted down with seconds to spare.

The upcoming NRL match will be the 200th at Mt Smart Stadium, with the Warriors having had 114 wins there.

- NZPA