NRL: Stephen Kearney is keeping the faith

Ryan Hoffman of the Warriors is tackled by Blake Austin of the Raiders. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney is keeping the faith.

In the wake of the disappointing 32-24 defeat to the Eels last Friday, a result which could be hugely significant in the context of the season, Kearney has resisted wielding the axe for Saturday's match against the Titans on the Gold Coast.

There is only one change to the 17 that took on Parramatta, and that is injury enforced, with Bunty Afoa replacing prop James Gavet, who picked up a hamstring strain in training on Tuesday.

Otherwise Kearney has stayed loyal to his regulars, even though most were involved in the recent poor run of three defeats in four games.

It's typical of Kearney's style - throughout his coaching career he has never been one to make a multitude of changes - but also illustrates the predicament he is in.

While some players are fortunate to keep their spots, it would also be a big gamble to throw young players into a team already down on confidence and belief.

The Warriors have to win on Saturday - otherwise there could be no way back - and Kearney is placing that responsibility onto the players who have got the Auckland club into this hole.

"I'm doing what I feel is best for the team," Kearney told D'Arcy Waldegrave on Radio Sport. "That my job and I don't take that lightly. I need to make sure I have trust in the guys. When the tough decisions have to be made I'll make them."

Reflecting on Saturday's loss, Kearney said the start to the game, when the Eels jumped away to a 12-point lead inside the first 10 minutes, and the ease in which they scored their five tries as the most disappointing aspects of the match.

He said the Warriors coaching staff and players met on Tuesday to discuss the game, and analyse yet another match in the 2017 season that slipped from their grasp.

"There's disappointment and frustration," said Kearney. "They had the winning of the game in their hands and they didn't ice it. We've talked about it...we need to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Ryan Hoffman will play his 300th NRL game on Saturday, becoming just the 3rd player to reach the milestone while at the Warriors.

Warriors squad to face Gold Coast Titans:

1ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2DAVID FUSITU'A
3BLAKE AYSHFORD
4SOLOMONE KATA
5KEN MAUMALO
6KIERAN FORAN
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8JACOB LILLYMAN
9ISSAC LUKE
10BEN MATULINO
11BODENE THOMPSON
12RYAN HOFFMAN
13SIMON MANNERING
Interchange:
14NATHANIEL ROACHE
15SAM LISONE
16ALBERT VETE
17BUNTY AFOA
18CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD
20LIGI SAO
21TOAFOFOA SIPLEY
22MAFOA'AEATA HINGANO