Finding the perfect mixture of a high-offloading playing style and a more traditional, structured game-plan is the key to continued success, says Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson.
Speaking on Fox Sports’ Sterlo show, Johnson revealed the simple strategy behind the 20-16 defeat of the Cowboys in Townsville last weekend.
“The main thing was really executing our game-plan,” he told Peter Sterling.
“We really wanted to rely on what the coaching staff had given us and I thought all the players bought into it and were able to execute it.
“For us, we’ve gotta find that balance, I love the offloads and flamboyant style that a lot of people want to see us playing, but you can’t do that all the time. You just tire yourself out and the game’s too quick now.
“If we can find that balance between structure, laying that platform and getting our go forward before off-loading and going sideways, I think that’s when we can be our best.”
After throwing 11 and 10 offloads in the opening two matches respectively, the Warriors recorded just five last Saturday night. That stat seems to fly in the face of everything we know about the team or how they should play.
But with the forwards simply tucking the Steeden under their arms and driving forward, the Cowboys’ defence was set on its heels and Johnson, Chad Townsend and Sam Tomkins had much more space to operate.
“Last week I was really able to see the impact they (the forwards) had and I was able to run the ball a bit more,” Johnson continued.
“We played some pretty simple footy and were able to build some pressure and rely on our kick chase and grind out a win.”
It will be an approach the Warriors must take into their Round 4 match against Wests Tigers this Saturday in Wellington – a ground they haven’t won at in six games.
“There’s a few good boys in their side that like running hard. If we want to have any chance of beating the Tigers, we’ll have to do a job on their middle men first and foremost and hopefully that will limit the impact that Luke Brooks and the fullback will have on the game,” Johnson said.
One man who can control the side with a more structured game-plan is Thomas Leuluai, who makes a welcome return from a groin injury via the bench this Saturday.
While Feleti Mateo has been forced out with a knee injury, it remains to be seen where the versatile Leuluai will play. Five-eighth Townsend and hooker Nathan Friend are both capable of playing a full 80-minutes.
The veteran playmaker would be well-utilised making darting runs out of dummy-half as Friend only managed a solitary run from the ruck against the Cowboys. But he could also step into the second-receiver position.
Konrad Hurrell has served his time for returning from the off-season 10 kilograms overweight and has been named on the bench. Hurrell played NSW Cup for the first two rounds but was devastating when he came on in the back-row after halftime last weekend. He scored a rampaging try close to the line.
The match kicks off at 7:30pm New Zealand time.
Warriors v Tigers
Saturday March 29, Westpac Stadium, 4:30pm (AEDT)
Warriors: 1. Sam Tomkins 2. Glen Fisiiahi 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Jerome Ropati 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Chad Townsend 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Sam Rapira 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ben Matulino 11. Jayson Bukuya 12. Simon Mannering 13. Sione Lousi.
Interchange: 14. Jacob Lillyman 15. Suaia Matagi 16. Konrad Hurrell 17. Thomas Leuluai.
Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Keith Lulia 4. Tim Simona 5. Pat Richards 6. Braith Anasta 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 18. Cory Paterson 12. Bodene Thompson 13. Adam Blair
Interchange: 14. Martin Taupau 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Sauaso Sue 17. James Gavet
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