25 May 2017

Warriors workhorse gallops to the rescue

2:03 pm on 25 May 2017

The Warriors' workhorse Simon Mannering has brushed off any talk of serving as the NRL side's saviour after two limp defeats.

The 30-year-old ex-skipper has sat out the past two matches with a hamstring strain, coinciding with demoralising losses to Penrith and the Dragons.

Kiwis and Warriors forrward Simon Mannering.

Kiwis and Warriors forrward Simon Mannering. Photo: Photosport

He will return to the fray in his customary lock position for this weekend's clash with the high-flying Brisbane Broncos in Auckland, but warned against expecting too much from any one player.

The side's defensive woes and lack of grit - they made 57 missed tackles in the Waikato last week - would take more than one man or one week to fix.

"It definitely hurts morale, the results we've had and the way we've played (and) it's not going to be a quick fix from one person that's going to get it right," Mannering said.

"It's not just one person that's got to get the job done."

With the Broncos ravaged by their State of Origin-related absences, the Warriors will fancy their chances of getting back on track with a win at home.

Yet Mannering was still on high alert for a "benchmark" Brisbane outfit including the likes of Ben Hunt, Benji Marshall, Adam Blair and Jordan Kahu.

The Warriors' leadership group would need to urgently step up and provide guidance to their younger troops.

"That's a strong side that's going to be playing on Saturday - if you have guys out, the guys that come in bring a lot more enthusiasm," Mannering said.

"Every time you come up against them, you try and lift yourself."