Richie Barnett: Warriors can bound into break by skinning Bunnies

Ben Matulino. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

With their bye week coming up and the Origin period starting, the next few weeks are crucial for the Warriors.

If they can get the job done against the Rabbitohs on Sunday, they will effectively be banking four points - that's huge at this time of year and huge for a team that has begun to look like it could use a rest.

The rigours of the past couple of weeks on the road looked like they were catching up with the Warriors against the Knights. They were ragged early on but showed plenty of resolve to tough it out and get the result.

On Sunday, they need to muscle up in the middle, shut the Bunnies down and bank another vital win.

Souths will come to town with a pretty simple game plan. They'll play the same way they did against the Tigers last weekend. They like to win the ruck and from that produce a lot of offloads.

The big forwards, like Ben Ross, like to run hard back at the A and B defenders and then promote the ball to the likes of Issac Luke and Chris Sandow.

When they move the ball, they typically like to go right to Dylan Farrell and Nathan Merritt, with Rhys Wesser sweeping around the back. When they kick it is usually left to Fetuli Talanoa's wing, which should result in a pretty decent aerial battle with Krisnan Inu.

On the other wing, with Manu Vatuvei facing Merritt it is a total mismatch, so it is no secret where the Warriors will target their kicks.

But if the Bunnies are allowed to execute their game plan it could be a tough afternoon for the Warriors. They need to dominate in the middle third to cut down the Bunnies' opportunities.

This is a huge game for Ben Matulino. The Kiwis forward has been in great form and now, with Jacob Lillyman and Sam Rapira out, it's time for him to step up and play a senior role. Russell Packer will also need to produce a big game.

With fatigue coming into play for all teams at this stage of the season, the use of the interchange will be crucial.

Preserving their energy stocks will be crucial to the Warriors shutting down the Bunnies' dangermen. Looking at the bench Ivan Cleary has named, you would say that Ukuma Ta'ai will play as the fourth prop.

It will be interesting to see if Lewis Brown plays. Apparently his knee injury is not too bad and if he is even 80 per cent, with the bye coming up, I think he will play. The way he is playing, Brown at 80 per cent is still good enough to get the job done.

The bye is definitely coming at a good time for the Warriors. They just need to muscle up one more time to get through to it in great shape.

A just reward for Lillyman

To me, Jacob Lillyman's call-up to the Queensland team for State of Origin was a no-brainer.

To the average spectator the stuff he does might not be that noticeable but he does a hell of a lot of work. He's extremely physical.

He hits hard, he makes yards and every hit-up is a quality hit-up.

He has been the rock in the pack this season since switching to prop and he has been rewarded for it. Good on him.