NZ Warriors’ squad mentality tested by injuries after win over Cowboys

Rocco Berry’s exit marked the switch in momentum against the Cowboys.
Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport

Warriors v Dragons

Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 10 May

WIN Stadium, Wollongong

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NZ Warriors centre Rocco Berry cannot buy a trick during an NRL season that has been disrupted by injury and suspension through the first 10 weeks.

Berry, 23, is among a long list of walking wounded to emerge from last week’s nailbiting 30-26 ‘Magic Round’ win over North Queensland Cowboys at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, where the designated home side watched an 18-point lead all but evaporate over the closing half hour.

His exit from the contest in the 53rd minute with a hamstring tweak seemed to change the momentum, as the Cowboys scored three tries in the next 10 minutes – and had a fourth ruled out soon after – exploiting the Warriors rightside defence, where Berry was previously stationed.

Coach Andrew Webster admits his line-up to face St George Dragons this week will virtually pick itself through attrition, with Berry’s niggle likely to keep him out a few weeks.

“He’s not good,” Webster confirmed. “He’s definitely done a good one there.

“We got back, scanned it and got the results late last night. How long he’ll be out for, we don’t know.

“Whenever he builds momentum, something goes on him, but he’ll bounce back and he’s got a really good attitude about it all. He works hard, so I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

Berry began the season recovering from a shoulder injury and was due to return against Wests Tigers in Round 4, but tweaked a hamstring in the build-up. He took the paddock against Melbourne Storm, but picked up a one-week ban for a dangerous tackle that kept him out against Brisbane Broncos.

His departure against North Queensland was exacerbated by the withdrawal of midfield partner Ali Leiataua with an ankle injury in training. The powerful centre suffered an identical injury at Magic Round last year and was out for two months.

This looks like a repeat of that, perhaps 3-6 weeks.

“It’s still quite raw,” Webster said. “Someone just landed on his ankle and we thought he was going to be OK, but he just wasn’t.”

Try-scoring winger Ed Kosi wrenched his shoulder with a try-saving tackle against the Cowboys and played the rest of the game wounded, but his courage will now likely cost him time on the sideline.

“I doubt he’ll play this week,” Webster said. “He’s in a lot of pain.

“Ed Kosi’s probably one of the best carriers in the game – that’s his strength – but he literally couldn’t do it for the whole second half.”

On the flip side, Webster may have a couple of mended bodies back in the mix against the Dragons.

Interchange forward Jacob Laban should return from concussion protocols, while winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is available for the first time, after breaking a wrist in the pre-season. His inclusion would at least enable Adam Pompey to return to his preferred midfield role.

Co-captain James Fisher-Harris is 50-50, after tearing a pec muscle in his chest against Melbourne Storm four weeks ago, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck seems at least another week away with his tweaked hamstring.

“One of the best things is the boys made a pact themselves that they wanted to be a squad this year,” Webster said.

“It’s going to be a squad that wins this, not just 17 players that play Round 1. We’re certainly finding that out.

“We’ll just name a team this arvo and do our best to see how they all come through, but in the end, I think it will be quite easy and they’ll pick themselves.”

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