From www.nrl.com:
Coach Ivan Cleary points to the New Zealand Warriors' much-improved kicking game as a factor in their increasing consistency in the NRL.
The Warriors face bottom-of-the-table South Sydney at Telstra Stadium on Sunday, looking to put together three wins in a row for the first time since their grand final year of 2002.
Only a month ago, Cleary had been lamenting his side's poor kicking game.
Since then, they have lost narrowly to then competition leaders Brisbane and posted back-to-back wins over the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle.
Over the same period, the tactical kicking of halfback Grant Rovelli and hooker Nathan Fien has noticeably lifted.
Cleary said credit for that had to be shared right across the team.
"The field position that we are getting into, the types of kicks, who kicks - we just seem to have clicked in that regard," he said.
"It gives you that consistency, certainly in attack, and if you're attacking consistently, completing your sets and giving them the ball where you want them to have it, it helps your defence as well."
Against Souths, Cleary has retained the same 17 that took part in last weekend's 30-18 home win over the Knights.
It continued a trend over the past six rounds, where he had kept the core of his side largely intact, after having experimented with combinations earlier in the season.
Cleary said the elusive third consecutive win had not been discussed within the team this week.
He added the Warriors were in no way writing off the Rabbitohs, saying the match had all the makings of a dangerous one for them.
"If things come off for them, they are more than capable of beating anyone," Cleary said.
"We just have to be right on our game, otherwise there's certainly a possibility of being hurt."
However, he was also confident about the Warriors' ability to perform if they went out with the right attitude.
"I know that if we prepare well and play well, then we are a chance to beat anyone," he said.
"That's really got to be our focus. We have to make sure the good things we've done in the last couple of weeks don't go to waste."
If the Rabbitohs win this weekend, they will break a barren run against the Warriors, whom they have not beaten since 1999.
Coach Ivan Cleary points to the New Zealand Warriors' much-improved kicking game as a factor in their increasing consistency in the NRL.
The Warriors face bottom-of-the-table South Sydney at Telstra Stadium on Sunday, looking to put together three wins in a row for the first time since their grand final year of 2002.
Only a month ago, Cleary had been lamenting his side's poor kicking game.
Since then, they have lost narrowly to then competition leaders Brisbane and posted back-to-back wins over the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle.
Over the same period, the tactical kicking of halfback Grant Rovelli and hooker Nathan Fien has noticeably lifted.
Cleary said credit for that had to be shared right across the team.
"The field position that we are getting into, the types of kicks, who kicks - we just seem to have clicked in that regard," he said.
"It gives you that consistency, certainly in attack, and if you're attacking consistently, completing your sets and giving them the ball where you want them to have it, it helps your defence as well."
Against Souths, Cleary has retained the same 17 that took part in last weekend's 30-18 home win over the Knights.
It continued a trend over the past six rounds, where he had kept the core of his side largely intact, after having experimented with combinations earlier in the season.
Cleary said the elusive third consecutive win had not been discussed within the team this week.
He added the Warriors were in no way writing off the Rabbitohs, saying the match had all the makings of a dangerous one for them.
"If things come off for them, they are more than capable of beating anyone," Cleary said.
"We just have to be right on our game, otherwise there's certainly a possibility of being hurt."
However, he was also confident about the Warriors' ability to perform if they went out with the right attitude.
"I know that if we prepare well and play well, then we are a chance to beat anyone," he said.
"That's really got to be our focus. We have to make sure the good things we've done in the last couple of weeks don't go to waste."
If the Rabbitohs win this weekend, they will break a barren run against the Warriors, whom they have not beaten since 1999.
that's my boy!! But I agree I think everyone deserves credit. 1-17