Rogers worry for Warriors again

The Warriors are wary of the Gold Coast Titans' experience factor for the NRL finals and no one epitomises that more than veteran Mat Rogers who broke their hearts five weeks ago.

The dual international - a Kangaroos and Wallabies star - ripped the Warriors apart in their round 21 clash in Auckland.

His stunning late try - his second of the match - gave the Titans a 28-20 win and realistically killed off the Warriors' top four hopes.

In the end the Titans snared fourth and the Warriors held their nerve to finish fifth and set up a rematch of even bigger proportions.

Their playoff at Skilled Park in Robina on Friday night will be another emotional chapter in Rogers' farewell season.

At 34 Rogers is the senior figure in a Gold Coast outfit not short of wise old heads. He's also very much the man of the moment over there although he's keen to avoid the spotlight in the finals, insisting the Titans as a team have plenty to make up for after their high-hopes last year were dashed by consecutive playoffs losses.

"I just want to be low maintenance for this team," Rogers told the Brisbane Courier-Mail as the Titans faced up to the reality of hosting the Warriors in the washup to a dramatic last round of NRL regular season action.

"I'm the oldest guy here and the last thing I want is the 'Mat Rogers Show' to take over what we are trying to achieve here."

Rogers was a central figure in last Friday's 21-18 win over the Tigers that gave Gold Coast the home rights against the Warriors.

Rogers likened it to being at a wedding as more than 60 family and friends swamped several corporate boxes, not sure if it was going to be his last game on the coast. Now there's a chance for another party but for Rogers it's all about the Titans chasing an elusive title that would provide the real fairytale finish to his remarkable career.

"It's time to play semifinal football. We've got to become process-driven side not a result-driven side. If we get the process right we know we can beat anybody," he said.

As the Warriors look to overcome their problems at hooker where Aaron Heremaia, Ian Henderson and Alehana Mara are all battling ankle injuries, the Titans have problems of their own.

Rogers has a hip injury though there are bigger concerns about the fitness of stars Scott Prince (shoulder) and Preston Campbell (hamstring). Steve Michaels (shoulder), Ashley Harrison (broken nose), Luke Bailey (broken thumb) and Brad Meyers (bruised ribs) are also on the casualty list with Bailey and Prince unlikely to train this week

But Rogers summed up their combative spirit when he said: "We're right as a team. We'll be ready . . . unless something is broken, we'll have a full squad out there. We have plenty of time to heal in a few weeks time."

With the Broncos and Cowboys out of the finals frame the Titans are left to carry the Queensland title hopes. They are desperate for a full house on Friday night and wary of the large ex-pat New Zealand community who will get behind the Warriors.

"We'll need everybody on board. The boys will be preparing as usual, but need this city to be rokcing. Crank it up a notch," Prince pleeaded on Twitter yesterday.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary describes the Titans as the most experienced side amongst the eight teams left and says that will serve them well in tight situations. But he's talking more about individuals than collectively and the Gold Coast.

If Prince, arguably the form halfback of the competition, and fullback Campbell are fit they have an attacking armoury that will really test the Warriors impressive defence.

The Warriors have conceded less than 20 points in each of their last five games, and won four of those to prove Cleary's faith in this crucial department.

"We're there, and we've got a bit of confidence in our defence, so we've got to use that to our advantage," Cleary said of being in the finals where his side enters the business end of the season with real momentum.

"It's going to come down to injuries and form and a couple of other things, and we're going in as a team in reasonable form. We've had a good second half of the season.'"

The latest betting odds on either side of the Tasman have the Warriors sixth favourite amongst the eight finalists to claim the title.

The New Zealand TAB has the Warriors paying $12 while Centrebet of Australia have them at $10.

NRL title odds:

New Zealand TAB: $2.65 St George; $6 Penrith; $7 Gold Coast, Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters; $8 Warriors; $12 Canberra; $30 Manly.

Australian Centrebet: $2.60 St George; $6.50 Penrith, Wests Tigers; $8 Gold Coast, Sydney Roostesr; $10 Warriors; $12 Canberra; $41 Manly.

- © Fairfax NZ News