Frustrated Warriors intent on sharper display against Storm

The Warriors are determined not to beat themselves through unforced errors in tonight’s Anzac Day NRL clash against Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.

The visitors know they can’t afford to gift the Storm the same opportunities they did the Raiders last week, after committing 13 second-half errors in their 20-8 defeat in Canberra.

Back rower Ryan Hoffman said the Warriors are focused on improving their ball control and discipline against a clinical Storm outfit that have lost just one game after seven rounds.

“Not beating ourselves because that definitely happened in the second half [last week],” said Hoffman.

“We need to be much better coming out of our own end. We definitely can’t give Melbourne good quality ball like that.

“It’s something that can be easily fixed and that was the most frustrating thing about the weekend.

“We did play so well in that first half and we really just didn’t play to our potential [after halftime].

“Over the first few rounds our second halves have been a real credit to us so it’s an area where we need to improve in and we will.”

Prior to last week the Warriors’ defence had leaked just two tries in three second-half showings across the round four defeat to St George Illawarra and consecutive wins over the Gold Coast and Parramatta.

The arrival of new five-eighth Kieran Foran in round five coincided with the side playing more controlled football as they committed just five errors against the Titans and eight against the Eels before losing their way in the second half against Canberra.

The Warriors led 8-6 after a strong first half but the rot set in when they failed to complete their first three sets off the restart, twice turning over possession inside their own half before blowing their first attacking opportunity on the Raiders line.

Halfback Shaun Johnson said the Warriors are intent on reproducing last week’s first-half effort and maintaining a high level of performance for the full match against the joint-competition leaders.

“It’s about setting the game up like that again but sticking to it for the full 80,” said Johnson.

“We were just so disappointed in ourselves that you go from playing at a level like that, to come out and make a couple of yardage errors early on.

“It’s very hard to get back once you let it go, especially against those top sides.

“So we really want to start our second half well, build the game nicely in the first half and continue that on.”