Warriors seek to improve ball security

Fixing up their own ball security is one way the New Zealand Warriors will look to tighten up their defence on Sunday when they try to consolidate their top-eight spot in the National Rugby League (NRL).

The Warriors host Gold Coast in Auckland after having had a five-match winning streak snapped last weekend.

In losing to South Sydney 38-28, they also found their previously stingy defence -- they hadn't conceded more than six points in each the previous three rounds -- prised open in the second half.

For prop Russell Packer, the problem can be traced to when the Warriors had the ball.

They had 30 sets, but got to the end of the just 18 of them for a ratio of 60 percent.

"We didn't complete enough sets," Packer said.

"We made a lot of errors and that affects the defence. You're making more tackles and obviously that catches with you."

The defeat to the Rabbitohs, and the Titans' dramatic extra-time victory over leaders St George Illawarra, mean both teams head to Mt Smart Stadium on 24 points, although points difference puts the Warriors one place higher at sixth.

The Titans have history on their side, having won their last four matches against the Warriors, including this year's round-one fixture at Robina by 24-18.

Packer indicated that the loss to Souths hadn't affect confidence in the camp, saying it would have been "pretty far fetched" to think the Warriors would have gone through to the rest of the regular season unbeaten, given how tight the competition was.

There had also been engaged in some hard-fought clashes in recent weeks, such as in the 12-6 victory over Penrith when the Warriors did a huge amount of defence.

"They've been pretty physical and hard games, tough encounters with close scorelines, and I guess that kind of caught up with us," he said.

"Everyone was probably just a little bit flat and I'm sure we'll not make the same mistake this weekend."

The Warriors injuries woes this season have meant that Packer, at just 20, has had to step to become the team's frontline prop.

Veteran frontrower Steve Price's retirement came earlier than expected because of a continuing heel problem, while Kiwi Sam Rapira, who had been in excellent form, is still on the casualty list after injuring his knee in late May.

Packer, who topped both metres gained and hit-ups for the Warriors against Souths, was reasonably pleased with how he had gone in his 16 appearances this year.

He had been "average" in the early weeks, but felt he was starting to show more consistency.

"I've turned it around a little bit but I've still got a long way to go," he said.

"I just want to put in a big effort this week and help to get the two points, because the competition is pretty close. A couple of wins could put us near the top and a couple of losses could put us out of the eight."

With six rounds to go, coach Ivan Cleary believes three further victories should secure a finals berth for the Warriors.

"Historically if you get 30 points, you're in," he said.

"Sometimes you can finish higher than just making it, but that's probably a figure that should guarantee you."

However, the Warriors' focus was more short-term.

"We're probably more looking at winning games," Cleary said.

"It's pretty simple. If we win enough games we'll get in. If we don't, we mightn't."

- NZPA