Warriors on a learning curve in countdown to NRL playoffs
Returning five-eighth Blake Green says last week’s tough defeat to Melbourne was the perfect learning experience for the Warriors as they look to kick on towards the finals.
A rib injury meant Green had to watch from the stands as the Warriors were edged 12-6 in an 80-minute arm wrestle against the competition leaders. But he has been named in the No 6 jersey for tomorrow’s match on the Gold Coast and is confident of taking the field.
The Warriors have not always held their own against the NRL’s top teams this season.
However, coming a week after they dominated the Broncos, who have since shown their class with consecutive victories against top-eight sides, the Warriors’ performance against the Storm was further evidence that they can compete with the elite of the competition.
Green believes it will hold them in good stead heading into the last six weeks of the regular season.
‘‘That experience, you can’t get it besides playing footy and and you don’t get that experience unless you play in close games,’’ Green said.
‘‘There aren’t that many close games, like 12-6, in the NRL every week and you don’t always get that high quality type of game.
‘‘It was a really good experience for our boys to see what that feels like and I’m sure we’ll be better next time we’re in that situation.’’
Top of the agenda for the Warriors this week has been fixing their execution in attack after failing to capitalise on several scoring opportunities against the Storm.
Halfback Shaun Johnson admitted they lacked patience at the back-end of sets and were guilty of trying to force a pass rather than building pressure with a well-placed kick.
Green should help in that regard. The 31-year-old playmaker has impressed all season with his organisation and leadership and the Warriors will need him at his best with reports that in-form hooker Issac Luke (calf) and back-rower Tohu Harris (knee) have failed to be cleared from their respective injuries.
They are also missing lock Adam Blair due to suspension.
However, Green felt that it would only take a few tweaks to get them back on track.
‘‘We just missed a few moments in the game that cost us but but we’ll learn from it,’’ he said. ‘‘Just a few technical things. There were some key moments that changed momentum for us that we need to be a little bit smarter at.’’
Despite the injury concerns, this is a match the Warriors are expected to win.
A three-match losing streak has seen the Titans fall out of finals contention, while the Warriors have dominated the match-up since 2011, winning 14 of the last 15 games.
The Auckland club is staying on in Australia after the match to prepare for next week’s clash against the Dragons in Wollongong.
But Green insists there is no chance of them looking past this weekend’s opponents.
‘‘It’s important that we come up with our best performance,’’ Green said.
‘‘I think we’ve been fairly consistent to be fair.
‘‘Besides that slip up against Penrith a few weeks ago, we’ve put some good performances together. We just need to keep improving and keep learning.’’