NRL: Warriors to rectify right edge

Matt Allwood is set to make his debut for the Warriors. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden is confident his side can rectify their right edge defensive frailties ahead of Sunday's 20th anniversary game against Brisbane.

The Parramatta Eels managed two easy tries down the Warriors' right side last Saturday, and with Matt Allwood set to debut at right centre to cover Tui Lolohea's switch to fullback, there are concerns the positional changes could again leave the Warriors' backs vulnerable against the Broncos.

However, McFadden believes that improved communication between wing Jonathan Wright, Allwood, and back-rower Bodene Thompson should see that right edge tightened up.

"We've addressed that as a group," McFadden said. "We just lost our way, we just stopped talking with each other and therefore our decision making wasn't that great. We did regain that focus towards the end of the game and the last 10 to 15 minutes was pretty good defensively.

"I know people are picking up on those little negatives but we've certainly acknowledged the positives there as well."

With regular centres Konrad Hurrell and Ngani Laumape still returning from knee injuries, the Warriors' midfield stocks are running thin but the expectation is that Allwood will rise to the challenge.

"That's what we expect in our group - that anyone who comes in that puts on the jumper needs to do the job," said McFadden.

"I think there were a few question marks about the amount of debutants we had in round one and they went out and did the job for the team and that's what we expect this week as well."

Allwood signed with the Warriors after 11 NRL appearances for the Canberra Raiders last season. After two outings for the club's New South Wales Cup side - at centre and fullback - as well as being the NRL team's 18th man twice, the 22-year-old is eager to prove his worth in the top grade and will mark the occasion by being Warrior No 199.

"I'm really excited and really looking forward to the weekend," Allwood said. "It's definitely a step up. It will be a lot faster and a fair bit harder but I'm looking forward to it again. I haven't been there for a while now so I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the park and giving my all."

Forging new combinations with those around him will be a test but Allwood said he and Wright had combined well on the training paddock.

"It's different but we've been good all week. We've just got to keep doing what we've been doing all pre-season and through training and bring it to the game."