Warriors making progress but results are major metric At a glance

Improvements on defence have been there for all to see in the Warriors’ last two performances but pro-sport is a resultsbased business.

And searching for the club’s sixth win of the season won’t come easy against the 10th placed Raiders at their Canberra fortress of GIO Stadium, especially when the green machine will be buoyed by Friday’s news that coach Ricky Stuart has extended his contract through until the end of the 2025 season.

For the Warriors, who sit in 12th place on the NRL ladder but six competition points behind the Raiders, a victory – that would transpire with the dropped Reece Walsh coming off the bench – might not quite be a turning point but it would be a welcome peak amongst a turbulent season on and off the field.

‘‘We don’t want to just perform well, we need to win because ultimately that’s what we’re here to do,’’ Warriors assistant coach Justin Morgan said 24 hours before kick-off.

Morgan was justifiably encouraged by the defensive efforts in an emotional 22-2 homecoming win over the West Tigers and last Friday’s 28-18 loss to the Parramatta Eels. ‘‘I feel as though we’ve got some of our mojo back defending, especially our try line,’’ he said.

At times this season, the Warriors’ defence has been woeful but in last week’s

NRL round 19: Raiders v Warriors. Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra

When: Saturday, 5pm (NZ time). Live coverage: Sky Sport 4, live updates on Stuff Referee: Chris Sutton. TAB odds: Raiders $1.31, Warriors $3.35

Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jesse Arthars, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Daejarn Asi, Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Tohu Harris (c), Euan Aitken, Josh Curran, Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: Reece Walsh, Bunty Afoa, Jack Murchie; Eliesa Katoa. 18th man: Edward Kosi, 19th man: Jackson Frei.

Raiders: Xavier Savage, Nick Cotric, Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Albert Hopoate, Jack Wighton, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papalii, Zac Woolford, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Elliott Whitehead (c), Adam Elliott. Interchange: Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton, Emre Guler, Corey Harawira-Naera. 18th man: Elijah Anderson, 19th man: Ata Mariota.

loss to the Eels, Morgan was proud of the first 11 minutes where they held out multiple consecutive sets from the top eight team, under considerable pressure, and the final 25 minutes where the club wrestled back control after conceding three quick tries.

Morgan said that was born out of the playing group applying themselves to a higher level in defensive training over the last six weeks.

‘‘You know that teams are going to score points, it’s just inevitable, that’s the way it goes, but you’ve got to make them earn it and we’re getting a little bit more confident in our defence, especially on our line.’’

He also felt the Warriors did a strong job of shutting down the offloads against the Eels – who top the list for any team in the NRL.

But Morgan warned they will need to be even better today against the second team on the offloads ladder, who have Kiwis star

Joseph Tapine in career-best form as well as Josh Papalii tearing through the middle, plus the Raiders’ outside backs have also produced plenty of second phase ball this season.

‘‘We see that as a huge threat from them [Raiders] and that can disjoint any defensive line so our stick and our contact will need to be good as well as our reaction when they do offload.’’

Back in April, a Shaun Johnson field goal in golden point got the Warriors home over the Raiders.

While much water has surged under the bridge since then, Morgan said there have been lessons and confidence derived from the 21-20 win.

Playing the Raiders away starts a tough run home for the Warriors with the Storm (Auckland), Rabbitohs (Sunshine Coast), Bulldogs (Auckland), Cowboys (Townsville), Panthers (Penrith) before the final round against the Titans at Mount Smart.