The One New Zealand Warriors have had a season to remember in 2023, exceeding expectations and pushing for a top four spot in the regular season.
Under new head coach Andrew Webster, the entire Warriors line-up has flourished with veterans Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris all in career best form.
Whilst NRL fans have been impressed with the rapid rise of Webster’s side, the Warriors have also attracted praise from NRL head coaches, with Titans interim boss Jim Lenihan labelling them as extremely dangerous.
“They’re certainly a great side, their outside backs are young, they are working hard,” Lenihan told SENQ.
“Their middles have been very tight and direct with how they play.”
Lenihan believes that the Warriors boast one of NRL’s best backlines and can trouble any side with the way they attack.
“Their backline as a whole is one of the deepest backlines I’ve seen for a long time,” Lenihan said.
“That makes such a difference in the way they are attacking.”
The interim coach has put his side on notice and claims that the Titans will have to be at their very best to control the New Zealand outfit this Friday night.
“We are going to have to work really hard on what we can do to control them,” he offered.
The Titans face the third-placed Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium from 6pm AEST (8pm NZST), with the away side striving to solidify their place in the top four.
The home team, who occupies 12th spot, will be aiming for two straight wins over top-eight contenders after an emphatic victory over the Cowboys last Sunday.