Maintain rage: Warriors urged to repeat beast mode
Joel Gould |
The Warriors have been urged to back up their bash-up of Melbourne, inspired by a bench blitz by dynamic forward Demitric Vaimauga.
Last week the Warriors, to a man, had an intensity in their defence that pummelled the Storm into submission in a 38-14 thrashing at AAMI Park, breaking a 17-game losing streak against their fierce rivals.
The Warriors host the Gold Coast on Saturday and have been urged by club legend Clinton Toopi to maintain the rage.
Vaimauga came off the bench and destroyed the Storm with his defensive clout and charges.
He wasn’t the only one. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck walloped winger Will Warbrick into touch, and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita put on his own bellringer.
“It was one of their strongest performances,” Toopi told AAP.
“The Warriors overpowered them with physicality, and that just doesn’t happen to Melbourne in Melbourne.
“To see the boys perform in that manner … aggressive, relentless for 80 minutes … I hope that becomes their standard and foundation moving forward.
“I know it will be hard to maintain that kind of level, but I hope that is the beginning of something special for the club.”
Vaimauga’s display was without doubt his best in the NRL.
“Vaimauga just comes on and absolutely destroys teams with his enthusiasm, athleticism and his work rate,” Toopi said.
“He does a great job in levelling them up. Sometimes it is a hard gig when you are coming off the bench to lift your team, even when that’s meant to be your job.
“It can sometimes go the opposite way, especially in high intensive games that are in the balance, but when he came on he added that extra string to the bow with the energy the boys were after.”
The Titans have won their past three away games against the Warriors.
Toopi, who played for both clubs, said the visitors would be up for the challenge.
“This will show us where the Warriors are mentally and physically after a heavy physical battle with Melbourne,” he said.
“What will be important about this game is showing they deserve to be in the top four.
“They can launch off that performance against Melbourne, and we have already seen this year that the combinations are starting to flow with continuity and consistency.”
AAP