Richie Barnett: Warriors showing they can take on the big four

Russell Packer has been in good form for a Warriors side showing promise. Photo / APN

There's a top tier of clubs in the NRL that have distanced themselves from the rest.

The Storm, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Broncos are all incredibly ruthless and consistent. Last week they showed just how big the gap is between them and the rest, with some serious thrashings handed out.

That said, I see the Warriors as a team who could challenge those top four clubs. Their form over the last couple of weeks has been very encouraging.

Consistent selection has translated into confidence on the field. Jacob Lillyman, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino have been in dominant form and they have now been joined by Sam Rapira, who gives the team a huge boost.

The impact off the bench has been massive, while the back three have been setting up play the way the big four clubs demand their fullbacks and wingers do.

With Feleti Mateo finding some real balance in his game and Shaun Johnson also learning when to try the big plays and when to play within himself, the Warriors look like a team that could challenge at the end of the season.

The one question mark I have is whether they have the centres to compete with those top sides. Quality centres are a precious commodity.

There's a lot of talk around that second rowers can do the job but the difference, I believe, is significant.

Makeshift backrowers tend to defend well at centre but they don't add much value in attack. They don't have the skill and ability to create something out of the blue that genuine centres possess.

The bottom line is that second rowers do a good job in the centres but not a great job. To make the finals and win games in the finals you need to be better than just all right.

With Mateo and Johnson, the Warriors certainly have plenty of x-factor, which becomes crucial at the business end of the season.

They have the ability to play enterprising football but first you have to work hard. You have to earn the right to produce the flashy stuff.

The way they have played the last couple of weeks shows the Warriors understand that. What they have produced is very similar to what the top four clubs do week-in week-out.

The Rabbitohs will certainly provide another stern test. The club has been devastated by injuries to big stars but they have managed to tough it out and and cobble together enough wins to stay in the playoff hunt.

They were clinical in beating the Eels in a golden point win last week. The threat comes from the left side, where Chris Sandow, Greg Inglis and Dave Taylor like to run amok.

The Warriors will look to aim up in that area on defence like they did against the Bulldogs to shut down Jamal Idris. The difference with the Rabbitohs is that Inglis can pass.

Issac Luke has also stepped up a gear. You can sense the desperation in the Bunnies, which makes them dangerous.

But they are the worst defenders in the competition on their line and the Warriors will look to expose them there. Mateo and Aaron Heremaia will be rating their chances of doing some damage if the platform is set for them up front.

The top four sides are certainly setting the standard. It's time to see if the Warriors can step up.