Warriors desperate to continue momentum

Stephen Kearney won’t say anything other than that he’s focused on the Warriors game against the Titans today, but the players can feel something more.

Since the 32-20 win over the Rabbitohs in Perth last Saturday, pundits in Australia are backtracking on predictions that the Warriors will pick up the wooden spoon, while there will be a bumper crowd at Mt Smart Stadium.

Tohu Harris was on his way to winning a Premiership with the Storm last year when the Warriors had hit rock bottom, but he has noticed a change in the club morale since that victory in Perth, even though he’s trying to stay grounded.

‘‘It’s one game; I wouldn’t call it success, you have to do it over a certain period of time for that,’’ Harris said.

‘‘We are off to a good start, but in saying that, we were disappointed in a few things in the game and hopefully we can fix those as much as we can this week, because Saturday is going to be a tough match against the Titans.’’

‘‘There was a great feeling after the game [against the Rabbitohs],’’ Harris said. ‘‘First of all because the season is back and we’re excited about that.

‘‘Also, to get off to a start like that, there were a few things we were wanting to do over the preseason and they came to fruition in the game. That was a pleasing aspect, but there is a lot to work on and we need to fix those things to be the best team we can be.

‘‘There is a lot more belief in each other,’’ he added. ‘‘And more belief in the team that we are capable of achieving some things that we want to achieve But in saying that, it’s going to take effort every single day to bring it out on the field. We did that last week, our training sessions were really great and that’s what we wanted to do again this week.’’

It was the Warriors’ spine that got talked up the most after the Rabbitohs’ win, and while they did play well, they wouldn’t have been able to perform as they did if it wasn’t for the forwards.

It’s an area of the game where there’s been a big turnover of

players in the team, but it’s one that’s gelled quickly.

‘‘There was a great effort across the pack, especially with our bench,’’ Harris said.

‘‘They came on and had an impact.

‘‘Players like Sam Lisone, Bunty Afoa, Leivaha Pulu, they all had an impact, but that was on the back of what Jimmy Gavet, Adam Blair and Ligi Sao did.’’