Warriors focused on task at hand

The National Rugby League grand final is one match away for the New Zealand Warriors, but even contemplating the prospect is a no-no for Micheal Luck.

The tireless lock forward and the player whom coach Ivan Cleary describes as the glue in the side says the Warriors will stick with the tried-and-true approach that has brought 10 wins in their past 12 matches.

The latest was their 30-13 semifinal victory over the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, when a passionate 25,585 crowd produced an electric atmosphere at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

That result has set up a preliminary final with Manly next Saturday night, with the winners going on to the premiership decider the following weekend.

While others might contemplate the Warriors' chances of going all the way, Luck isn't looking past the immediate challenge of the Sea Eagles at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"As soon as we start looking too far forward, that's when we fall into a hole," he said.

"We've been looking at one week at a time for two months and it has stood us in good stead. So we have to concentrate on Manly, do our homework and try to get a result on Saturday night."

The Sea Eagles, who had a bye this weekend after easing past St George Illawarra 38-6 in the first round of playoffs, will go into the match as favourites.

They won both meeting between the teams in the regular season, thumping the Warriors 52-6 at Brookvale Oval in March, with try-scoring fullback Brett Stewart grabbing a hat-trick.

The return fixture was closer, the Sea Eagles edging home 20-14 in June in a match that marked the end of the mid-season slump for the Warriors.

The following week, they beat the Wests Tigers 28-26 in Ruben Wiki's 300th NRL match and set off on their present run.

Luck was realistic about the task facing the Warriors, saying Manly had dangers right across the park, including in his patch up the middle of field.

"Their frontrowers, Josh Perry and Brent Kite, have been outstanding and they have two hookers, Matt Ballin and Heath L'Estrange, who are pretty crafty," he said.

"On either edge, they have Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart, who are both outstanding ball players, so we have to be good."

While Luck's place in the starting line-up is secure, utility Lance Hohaia faces having to relinquish the No 1 jersey after having been an assured stand-in for most of the season.

Regular fullback Wade McKinnon is available again after sitting out a three-match ban for allegedly spitting at a touch judge.

Hohaia also filled in during McKinnon's earlier five-month absence with a knee injury.

Having scored two of the Warriors' five tries against the Roosters, he was philosophical about the prospect of having to give up his starting spot.

"I can play other positions in the side and hopefully I can perform as consistently as I can wherever I play," he said.

"I'm not too worried. As long as I'm in the team I'll be happy."

Hohaia featured in a controversial moment against the Roosters when he conceded a rare penalty try in the first half.

Video referees Steve Clark and Phil Cooley adjusted that he had held opposite number Anthony Millichiello back illegally as the pair raced for the ball in the in-goal.

"I was just trying to stop him from scoring and get the ball out of bounds," Hohaia said.

"Obviously the video refs thought I bent the rules somehow. But it's finished now and we won the game, so I'm pretty happy."