Rugby league: Warriors take simple approach to start of NRL season as new faces settle into their roles

Bayley Sironen has settled into his role with the Warriors well. Photo / Photosport

The Warriors won't be the most exciting team to watch early in the NRL season but, as long as they get the results, they're not overly worried about what form that success takes.

The Kiwi club is still trying to make the pieces of the puzzle fit together after plenty of changes during the offseason, which saw them sign a new coach as well as a handful of players who shape up as key contributors.

That proved to be the case in the opening round win over the Gold Coast Titans, as the likes of prop Addin Fonua-Blake, second rower Bayley Sironen and utility forward Ben Murdoch-Masila showed glimpses of what they offer their new club.

The performance didn't feature the most fan-friendly style of play, or the razzle-dazzle brand the Warriors became known for in the early 2010s, but by playing the game up the middle with a heavy focus on both maintaining possession and using their forwards to launch their attacks, the club earned just their ninth round-one win.

Tonight, assistant coach Craig Hodges says a similar approach will be taken to their game against the Newcastle Knights as the team continues to develop combinations on the field.

"We're not looking to play extravagant at this time of the year," Hodges said.

"We'll progress hopefully reasonably quickly, but it's really important in these early games that we play, not a simple style of football, but a winning style of football.

"Usually ball control, field position and making your tackles in these first few rounds are crucial. If we get that right in these first couple of weeks, we can build pretty quickly from that. It doesn't matter if you've got a million-dollar sports car; you've still got to start in first gear, and that's our philosophy this year."

While their simplistic approach saw them earn the points against the Titans, Hodges said they would need to build on that at Central Coast Stadium when they face "a fair step up in class against the Knights".

The Warriors have made just one change to their starting side for the clash, with Adam Pompey replacing Euan Aitken in the centres due to injury.

There was some concern over the availability of Sironen and hooker Wayde Egan, who were both taken from the pitch last weekend with head knocks and subsequently failed their head injury assessments. However, both players were given clearance to return to the pitch and take their places in the starting 13.

"Both got cleared by the specialist, which is fantastic news for the group," Hodges said.

"They've gone through all of their processes this week that they needed to go through and they trained with the team no worries at all, so that's a real good bonus for us coming into the game."

Warriors v Knights

Tonight, 8pm, Central Coast Stadium

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu'a, Adam Pompey, Peta Hiku, Ken Maumalo, Kodi Nikorima, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Eliesa Katoa, Bayley Sironen, Tohu Harris.

Interchange (from): Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Leeson Ah Mau, Bunty Afoa, Marcelo Montoya, Sean O'Sullivan, Tom Ale, Jack Murchie.

Knights: Tex Hoy, Starford To'a, Enari Tuala, Bradman Best, Hymel Hunt, Kurt Mann, Mitchell Pearce, David Klemmer, Jayden Brailey (cc), Daniel Saifiti (cc), Tyson Frizell, Mitchell Barnett, Connor Watson.

Interchange (from): Sauaso Sue, Jacob Saifiti, Josh King, Brodie Jones, Phoenix Crossland, Pasami Saulo, Dominic Young, Gehamat Shibasaki.