NRL: Warriors seek to contain Prince

Scott Prince. Photo / Getty Images

Scott Prince doesn't figure in Queensland's State of Origin plans but the halfback's form has piqued the New Zealand Warriors interest ahead of their National Rugby League (NRL) visit to the Gold Coast.

The Warriors are not interested in recruiting the former Australian representative, they are more concerned with limiting his influence at Skilled Park tomorrow night (7.30pmNZT).

Prince's playmaking role casts him as an obvious threat as the Warriors strive to move from the fringes of the top eight - they are 11th, just a point outside the play-off contenders, albeit with a poor points differential of -43.

They have also banked four points from their bye weeks, meaning they can ill-afford any slip ups for the remainder of the season.

A member of Queensland's preliminary squad for the first match of the Origin series, Prince was always going to be on the outer unless Jonathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer broke down.

But he is still capable of driving a team round the park, as evidenced by the Titans lofty position of third on the log - they have the same 22 points as the Dragons and Bulldogs but an inferior points differential.

The Warriors and Titans are both refreshed from their final bye, though from the New Zealander's perspective the time hardly equated to a complete test.

Analysing the danger posed by Prince formed part of their preparation, with five-eighth Lance Hohaia saying he had to be kept on a tight rein.

"You can't stop everything a quality player does, but you can limit his time and opportunities. That's what he have to focus on, he's very important to their team."

Prince will be assisted in the halves by dual international Mat Rogers, who is back after a two-week lay-off with a rib cartilage injury.

Add in mercurial fullback Preston Campbell and it is clear the Titans are equipped to play an up-tempo game should they gain parity in the forward battle.

The Titans field one of the smaller packs in the competition, and are even less imposing since prop Luke Bailey's arm injury. But if they can provide enough of a platform for Prince, the Titans backs could run riot.

"They move the ball around as well as anybody," said Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary.

"In terms of finesse they're right up there, they have guys that are very dangerous in broken play.

"We can't allow them to have too much time and space or we'll be chasing our tails around all night.

"We'll be looking to win the forward battle."

The Warriors achieved that goal the last time the teams met in a pre-season trial match, winning 34-12.

Cleary would appreciate a similar margin tomorrow, as the Warriors seek to embark on a run reminiscent of last season's surge that realised eight victories in 10 games leading into the play-offs.

Their cause may be helped by revelations the Titans are the most heavily penalised team in the competition.

A survey on the NRL's website (www.nrl.com.au) said the Titans conceded 7.54 penalties a game; the Warriors were ranked 14th equal with the Rabbitohs on 5.77.

Titans head coach John Cartwright admitted his side had to improve their discipline, but suggested referees were too inflexible.

"Referees are like football teams in that they do their homework and can get preconceived ideas," he said.

"Then if a guy tends to do something in a tackle every now and then, they are on the lookout for it and he might not get the leeway of others.

"I have no doubt that sort of thing has happened for years. Some guys are targeted before they go out and are policed much harder," he said.

Cartwright called for "discretionary" penalties - for holding down and offside - to no longer result in a kick for touch but just a tap, to limit the impact of the referees calls.

"The result of the penalty doesn't suit the crime these days as you lose so much field position for something that is discretionary," he said.

- NZPA