From stuff.co.nz
By ROBERT LOWE
The venue may have become slightly novel for a National Rugby League (NRL) clash with the Bulldogs, but New Zealand Warrior Sione Faumuina is the expecting usual fireworks in on Sunday.
The two clubs, who meet at Sydney's Telstra Stadium, have produced some memorable contests, such as in the 2003 playoffs, when the Warriors turned on the style in a 48-22 romp.
That was the last time they faced each other in Sydney, and also the last time the Warriors managed to beat the Bulldogs.
Since then, the Sydneysiders have won all four matches between them, including the round-eight fixture in Auckland in late April.
Faumuina said there was always plenty of anticipation before a match with the Bulldogs.
"We're always up for it, we love to play against them," he said.
"We love their style of play. They've got a big pack and we're just looking forward to the fireworks this weekend."
The Bulldogs, who are fourth on the table, welcome back New South Wales props Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley, and Queensland frontrower Nate Myles from the State of Origin decider on Wednesday.
However, they will be without former Kiwi winger Matt Utai and interchange prop Jarrad Hickey with both suspended.
There were also injury doubts over halfback Brett Sherwin, winger Hazem El Masri and bench prop Chris Armit.
But the Bulldogs are backing up from a good win over premiers Wests Tigers.
The Warriors were less convincing in downing Penrith last weekend - coach Ivan Cleary said his team "won ugly" - but their confidence was high as they chased their fifth successive win.
While they remained back in 12th spot, they have the second-best points difference in the competition.
Faumuina put the mid-season turnaround down to a return to the fundamentals.
"We're just sticking to the basics," he said.
"We're cutting out the silly errors and completing sets, and the offloads are coming along with that."
The Warriors' offloading ability was shown up in the statistics, with Faumuina and fellow forwards Wairangi Koopu and Awen Guttenbeil all among the NRL's top 12 for the season.
Faumuina was third, behind Manly skipper Ben Kennedy and one of the Bulldogs' Kiwi contingent, Sonny Bill Williams.
For Faumuina, who can also sometimes be guilty of pushing the pass, going back to the basics didn't mean cutting out the flair.
"Ivan will never tell a player to give up a skill that can help the team," he said.
"It's more picking the right time and which part of the field to offload."
After beginning the season as a five-eighth and giving that position " a nudge", Faumuina was happy to be cementing a spot in the starting 13 as lock.
He was also looking to lift his involvement and be more vocal on the field.
The Warriors will also have a player back from Origin, skipper Steve Price, who will no doubt be buoyed by Queensland's victory in Melbourne to end three years of NSW domination of the series.
Faumuina will be, too, after backing the Morons because he had a clubmate in the side.
"I don't know anyone (in Origin) except Pricey," he said.
"It's always good to have him back and we'll be happy to have him back after an Origin win."
By ROBERT LOWE
The venue may have become slightly novel for a National Rugby League (NRL) clash with the Bulldogs, but New Zealand Warrior Sione Faumuina is the expecting usual fireworks in on Sunday.
The two clubs, who meet at Sydney's Telstra Stadium, have produced some memorable contests, such as in the 2003 playoffs, when the Warriors turned on the style in a 48-22 romp.
That was the last time they faced each other in Sydney, and also the last time the Warriors managed to beat the Bulldogs.
Since then, the Sydneysiders have won all four matches between them, including the round-eight fixture in Auckland in late April.
Faumuina said there was always plenty of anticipation before a match with the Bulldogs.
"We're always up for it, we love to play against them," he said.
"We love their style of play. They've got a big pack and we're just looking forward to the fireworks this weekend."
The Bulldogs, who are fourth on the table, welcome back New South Wales props Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley, and Queensland frontrower Nate Myles from the State of Origin decider on Wednesday.
However, they will be without former Kiwi winger Matt Utai and interchange prop Jarrad Hickey with both suspended.
There were also injury doubts over halfback Brett Sherwin, winger Hazem El Masri and bench prop Chris Armit.
But the Bulldogs are backing up from a good win over premiers Wests Tigers.
The Warriors were less convincing in downing Penrith last weekend - coach Ivan Cleary said his team "won ugly" - but their confidence was high as they chased their fifth successive win.
While they remained back in 12th spot, they have the second-best points difference in the competition.
Faumuina put the mid-season turnaround down to a return to the fundamentals.
"We're just sticking to the basics," he said.
"We're cutting out the silly errors and completing sets, and the offloads are coming along with that."
The Warriors' offloading ability was shown up in the statistics, with Faumuina and fellow forwards Wairangi Koopu and Awen Guttenbeil all among the NRL's top 12 for the season.
Faumuina was third, behind Manly skipper Ben Kennedy and one of the Bulldogs' Kiwi contingent, Sonny Bill Williams.
For Faumuina, who can also sometimes be guilty of pushing the pass, going back to the basics didn't mean cutting out the flair.
"Ivan will never tell a player to give up a skill that can help the team," he said.
"It's more picking the right time and which part of the field to offload."
After beginning the season as a five-eighth and giving that position " a nudge", Faumuina was happy to be cementing a spot in the starting 13 as lock.
He was also looking to lift his involvement and be more vocal on the field.
The Warriors will also have a player back from Origin, skipper Steve Price, who will no doubt be buoyed by Queensland's victory in Melbourne to end three years of NSW domination of the series.
Faumuina will be, too, after backing the Morons because he had a clubmate in the side.
"I don't know anyone (in Origin) except Pricey," he said.
"It's always good to have him back and we'll be happy to have him back after an Origin win."
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