Richie Barnett: Warriors can't fail against Cowboys

Ukuma Ta'ai. Photo / APN

It's time for the Warriors to show that they have what it takes to win big games.

Matches at this time of year aren't decided by big plays but more by attention to detail. It's the little stuff that usually proves the difference. The Warriors need to tidy up their kicking game and improve their edge defence - particularly the reads from their centres - but other than that they aren't too far away.

That said, after failing to get the job done against the Broncos and the Dragons in their last two big tests, they can't afford another failure. They simply can't afford to go into the finals having suffered back-to-back defeats to contending sides, so it's hard to overstate the importance of this game.

The Warriors must win to prove to themselves they have what it takes to win big games. Another loss would be a confidence killer.

Against the Broncos and Dragons they slipped up when it mattered most. It's harsh to say it, but Elijah Taylor's dropped ball and Bill Tupou's error were turning points in Sunday's loss to the Dragons. There are times when you just can't afford that type of error. You've simply got to hold on to the ball.

It's a learning experience and it's vital the Warriors learn from what happened in that match. If they do, they are every chance of winning big games. I certainly feel they are getting closer to where they need to be.

The edge defence has been an issue all year and the Dragons certainly exposed that on both sides on Sunday. With Brent Tate and Willie Tonga - two of the best centres in the game - coming to town the Cowboys will fancy their chances of exposing the Warriors' weakness on the fringes.

The Cowboys are set up very similar to the top three clubs and pose many of the same challenges. The loss of Tariq Sims really changes the look of their pack but they have a fantastic backline and that is the area where the Warriors really need to match them.

The backs have to step up to the plate. They need to do the work to make sure the yardage game flows. The red zone runs are crucial. They must start their sets with some effective scoots to get on the front foot. One poor run from dummy half can end up blowing a whole set.

If they don't measure up in that area then it's going to be a long night.

The run in to the finals has been incredible viewing. The battle for fourth to seventh has been brutal, as the Warriors found out when they dropped four spots after one defeat.

Then of course there was that amazing rumble at Brookvale. That sort of thing really isn't what we want to see in the game but, let's be honest, it's going to happen from time to time. League throws up incidents like that every now and then and brings itself into disrepute but, hey, that's the game.

It certainly hasn't done any harm in terms of building interest and excitement ahead of the finals.