Warriors key to success is fitness

Ivan Cleary credits the Warriors fitness trainers for his team's major improvement this year and is confident the players are equipped for the rigours of the NRL finals.

The Warriors have gone to being last year's also rans to a title contender in a race for the silverware that is wide open.

The Warriors clinched a rare berth in the playoffs with their 36-4 demolition of Brisbane last weekend.

They get the chance to try to improve their seeding when they cross the Tasman to play Parramatta in their last round-robin match tomorrow night.

Asked what he saw as the major improvement in his side this year, Cleary didn't hesitate to nominate the fitness work put in.

It has kept them on the pace of a much quicker game and allowed them to redevelop the attacking brand of football that has been their trademark in their better years.

"The players are without a doubt fitter. The high performance unit should take a big rap there because the boys have done the work," Cleary enthused, adding experience had also been a factor as his young team developed.

"Most of the players are just playing better. If you can get that then generally speaking you are going to be successful."

He felt that came to a head in last Friday's effort against the Broncos. Fitness, finesse, enthusiasm and ability to handle the pressure of a must-win situation had seen the side excel.

"We were able to build pressure and usually with pressure come points. Everyone was excited and the energy levels lift."

While the this season had been tough with its many injury interruptions - mostly to leading players - the benefits of negotiating that were now showing. They had a largely fit squad and their depth of talent had improved as the finals beckoned.

"One thing about our year is that we had those key guys missing so often we have had to adapt," Cleary said. "The high point of the season for me is that we have been able to adapt and anyone who has come in to fill anyone's shoes has done a good job.

It does mean we are used to playing without our best team. That's a silver lining."

He says there is plenty hanging on this last regular season match against the Eels and wants the Warriors to back up from the Brisbane effort.

"On one hand we can improve our seeding heading into the finals and on the other it's a chance to take some good form and momentum into those games. There is certainly enough to play for."

He believed of the teams who haven't qualified for the finals the Eels were probably the most dangerous. They would be out to prove a point and also farewell former Kiwi skipper Nathan Cayless in style.

"I'm sure they are disappointed where they have finished after such a great season last year. And with the squad they have got they would have expected to get higher. I'm sure they will see this as one last chance - not just for Nathan Cayless but for their fans. They will want to play well.

"They have a great roster with strike all over the field; we are expecting an extremely tough game. They are very dangerous and if they are playing without shackles they can do that pretty well."

- © Fairfax NZ News