Coach Pat Weisner remains confident the first win of the season for Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles is not far off after a tough opening month in the Intrust Super Premiership.
The Sea Eagles sit in 11th position on the ladder and face another big challenge in the undefeated Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland this Sunday.
“They are definitely the bench mark and have quality all the way across the park,’’ Weisner said.
“Any Intrust team that can name Tui Lolohea on the wing has some serious depth and we will need to be at our best.
“In saying that, I believe our best is good enough to beat anyone and if we can defend as well as we did last week (against the Bulldogs), then we will be a chance in every contest.”
The Sea Eagles almost pulled off their first win at Lottoland last Saturday, but two late tries saw the Bulldogs escape with their maiden victory for the season.
“We defended really well and to be in front with seven minutes remaining after making 100 more tackles than the Bulldogs was a huge effort,’’ Weisner added.
“Unfortunately a bombed try and then conceding a try off a kick soon after was all that was between us and winning.
“We have learnt a lot this first month and should have won two matches. We feel like a win is around the corner so long as we can keep defending well. We would also welcome a dry track after four matches on heavy fields.”
The Sea Eagles will be boosted by the return of hard running prop Lloyd Perrett from a facial injury.
“Lloyd’s return is a massive boost as we have been playing smaller backrowers in the front row all season out of position due to the injury crisis and suspensions in the NRL team,’’ Weisner added.
“His size will help out our boys who have been working hard in the middle out of position.”
Warriors v Blacktown
Live on Fox Sports, Sunday, from 11.30am (AEST)
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles
1 Viliame Kaveinga
2 Pat Mataele
3 Jonathan Wright
4 Matthew Wright
5 Peter Schuster
6 Cameron Cullen
7 Pita Godinet
8 Lloyd Perrett
9 Joey Lussick
10 Tom Amone
11 Shaun Lane
12 Brendan Attwood (C)
13 Jarrad Kennedy
Interchange
14 Dean Parata
15 Jamil Hopoate
16 Tyler Cassell
17 Ev Vaurasi
18 Jake Samoa
