Away games could decide Warriors’ fate

AUCKLAND: In an NRL season of high achievement by the Warriors, perhaps the biggest surprise has been their results on the road.

Boasting a competitionbest record of six from seven away wins, the Warriors embark this week on a stretch of road games that could define their fate.

Four of next five matches are played in Australia, starting tonight at Penrith.

It would usually prompt worry lines for a team of notoriously poor travellers.

Instead, it is their home form which has tripped up the fifthplaced Auckland outfit.

Their 44 record includes losses in their last three matches at Mt Smart Stadium.

Warriors coaches and players have repeatedly shrugged their shoulders when quizzed why the travel trend is reversed in 2018.

Veteran forward Adam Blair says their results have instead hinged on how they front mentally for every game.

‘‘Throughout this year our boys have shown courage to turn up when times are tough,’’ he said.

Blair, who returns from a two week suspension, said that was the case this week.

The Warriors are coming off defeat against Cronulla and face the fourthplaced Panthers who share the same 105 record.

They will do so without injured forwards Tohu Harris and Bunty Afoa, who will miss the next month at least.

‘‘It’s a big blow. Those boys have been really good for us.

‘‘Bunty has come out of the box — he had a great start to the year. Tohu’s a firstclass player so they’re going to be sorely missed.’’

Blair said the Warriors’ completion rate, a strength in the early rounds, had slipped off in recent times.

They will pay a hefty price if that continues over the final two months.

‘‘Defensively, I think we’re really sound, but we don’t want to be sitting on our tryline all game.’’ — AAP