NRL: Warriors use Roosters shocker to bounce back

New Zealand Warriors coach Brian McClennan is using the week in New South Wales to bring the squad closer together. Photo / Greg Bowker

Warriors coach Brian McClennan claims last year's NRL grand finalists took a step backwards in their development with last week's shock loss to the Sydney Roosters.

The Warriors' indifferent 2012 form continued with their dismal effort against the Roosters, leaving them with just two wins and a negative points differential from their first five games under McClennan.

The former New Zealand international coach said it was vital his side did not simply wipe the result against the Roosters, but rather use it to help promote a bounceback against Canberra on Sunday.

"We're certainly not discarding it - we reviewed it early the next morning and we're trying to be constructive about it and being honest," McClennan said.

"We were very poor - really it was a big step back. We thought we were getting some headway, some growth and that was just really poor.

"We're pretty dark on how we performed, the coaching staff and players. We've held our heads up, we're accountable and now it's a matter of working hard and getting ready for Canberra." The organisation of a week-long camp in Kiama on the New South Wales south coast has been timely in the wake of the loss, with McClennan keen to use the time to bring the squad closer together.

The trip to the nation's capital is the start of a vital month for the Warriors, with three of the four games that follow the Raiders clash to be played in Auckland - with a trip to Melbourne to ladder leaders the Storm sandwiched in the middle.

"We've been able to have some meetings at night and been able to do some things [outside league] together and get a lot more done," McClennan said. "We've been able to get ready for Canberra but also other games beyond, review what we've done in the first block of games and identify areas of improvement."

- AAP