NRL: Underdog Warriors ready to fire

Their coach said they didn't deserve a second chance after a thrashing by the Broncos, but Warriors captain Simon Mannering says the loss has made them determined to step up to the Tigers tonight. Photo / Brett Phibbs

They were burned by it a year ago - now the Warriors are looking to take full advantage of the quirky NRL finals system.

Smashed out of sight six days ago by the inspired Broncos, the Warriors find themselves in an identical position to a Tigers side that out-duelled the Dragons in the opening week of the finals, with the winner to face Melbourne next weekend for a place in the grand final.

While it's unlikely the Tigers will be wasting much time or energy obsessing about the inherent unfairness of Mr McIntyre's deeply flawed system, the Warriors are also looking forward rather than back.

"The fact we survived is the best tonic," coach Ivan Cleary said when asked how his side would put their Suncorp Stadium debacle behind them. "That was one of the biggest feelings after the game - was that it? So to get another shot, we're very grateful for that. The boys are very keen."

Last year, Cleary's Warriors were denied a second chance after crashing out on the Gold Coast in the opening week of the finals. Having finished the regular season fifth, and given a reasonable account of themselves in a qualifying final against the Titans, they felt that was a harsh fate.

This year, in the immediate aftermath of last Saturday's humiliation, a shocked Cleary admitted his team scarcely deserved a lifeline.

That, however, won't stop them trying to grab it with both hands.

Expectation has always been their Kryptonite but it isn't something the Warriors will need to fret about against a Tigers side that has won nine straight games and firmed to joint title favourites on some Australian betting markets.

The Tigers have also toppled the Warriors in both meetings this season - which included a stunning comeback from a 22-4 deficit in round 14 in Auckland.

"We're going to be underdogs for sure and no one will give us a chance," captain Simon Mannering said. "I definitely think it will be a good thing for this team.

"I know in previous years, whenever we're given a boost it backfires and when we're underdogs and not given a chance, we seem to stand up. We'll definitely do that this weekend."

While Cleary's side wouldn't have dwelled on last week's shocker, there were plenty of lessons to be absorbed. Forced passes led to a subterranean completion rate, while the kicking and chase game lacked consistency.

"We might have been a little bit excited," Cleary said. "We possibly got a little ahead of ourselves and were punished for it. That happens sometimes in finals.

"We've had a look at the game and understand what went wong, and lots went wrong. We understand what we need to deliver. It's really a matter of going back to what got us there in the first place.

"What we didn't do against the Broncos was give ourselves a chance. First and foremost, we need to make sure we don't beat ourselves and give ourselves a chance. If we can do that, we feel we can beat any team."

Manu Vatuvei's erratic handling is the other major concern. The key winger's energy levels were up with the best this season against the Broncos, but his enthusiasm was swamped in a sea of dropped balls.

The Tigers are sure to target him again, however kicking to Vatuvei is very much a risk-versus-reward tactic. If his hands don't let him down, he can do plenty of damage.

"He's not one of the best wingers in the world for nothing," Cleary said. "Maybe you should ask the Tigers if they would rather he played or not.

"It's just of those things. Anyone who's watched Manu throughout his career, he's not the sort of guy who's ever error-free. But what he brings is stuff that others can't.

"He'd be the first to admit he made some errors in the weekend but I thought some of his carries and his running was some of the best he's done in a long time. If we can just marry the two up, I think we have a pretty good weapon."

- Additional reporting: APNZ

Sydney Football Stadium, 9.45 tonight

TIGERS
Tim Moltzen
Beau Ryan
Blake Ayshford
Chris Lawrence
Lote Tuqiri
Benji Marshall
Rob Lui
Bryce Gibbs
Robbie Farah (c)
Keith Galloway
Liam Fulton
Gareth Ellis
Chris Heighington

WARRIORS
Kevin Locke
Bill Tupou
Lewis Brown
Krisnan Inu
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Shaun Johnson
Sam Rapira
Aaron Heremaia
Jacob Lillyman
Feleti Mateo
S. Mannering (c)
Micheal Luck

Tigers: Mitch Brown, Mark Flanagan, Matt Groat, Aaron Woods, Matt Utai, Ben Murdoch-Masila (two to be omitted).

Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Ukuma Ta'ai, Elijah Taylor (one to be omitted).