Warriors coach not getting carried away

Just as Stephen Kearney did not get too low after the collapse against the Panthers, the Warriors coach was not getting carried away with Sunday’s brilliant bounce-back win over the Broncos.

After a week of having their finals credentials questioned, the Warriors responded with one of their best displays of the season to thump the Broncos 26-6, their first win in Brisbane in five years.

It was a big step to securing a place in the top eight with the Auckland club one of four teams between fourth and seventh on 24 points, two points above the eighth-placed Broncos and six clear of the chasing pack.

If the Warriors go on to break their finals drought, and perhaps even finish in the top four, they may well look back on Sunday’s result as the performance that sent them on their way.

But Kearney was not thinking that far ahead, particularly with the second-placed Storm coming to Auckland this weekend.

‘‘We’ve had that mentality all year where we’re confident that if we prepare well during the week then we’ll give ourselves an opportunity on the weekend to play well. So I’m not looking past Sunday,’’ Kearney said.

There was so much for Kearney to like about the victory, not least the performance up front.

The Warriors’ middle forwards were exposed by the Panthers last week but they stood up against an aggressive Brisbane pack.

Prop Agnatius Paasi led the way with a barnstorming display. Simon Mannering was another standout as the Broncos discovered that when the Warriors get their offloads going behind some direct running, they are extremely difficult to stop.

Left centre Solomone Kata made the most of hard work to finish with two tries. Kata was well supported by Peta Hiku, who ran for 180m after being shifted from right centre to left wing.