Warriors aim to avoid distractions ahead of crucial Tigers clash

Enjoy the day, but don’t let it distract you from the job at hand.

That was the overarching message coming from interim Warriors coach Stacey Jones and his players this week, as they look to balance embracing their return to Auckland for the first time in two years with preparing for a crucial match against the Wests Tigers.

After losing their last seven games in a row, the 15th-placed Warriors are desperate for a victory, and with the Tigers sitting one place ahead of them on the ladder it shapes as arguably the most important game of the year for both clubs.

Knowing demand for his time and attention would be high this week ahead of his 100th NRL match at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium, prop Bunty Afoa said he put off catch ups with family and friends until next week’s bye round for the club.

“I have been trying to stay away from my family at the moment. I am coming over for business and we need to get the two points this week,” Afoa said.

“It’s really important that we keep focus, there is going to be a lot of distractions throughout the week, it’s a busy week, but our main purpose is to come and beat the Tigers.

The reality is we have got nine games (left this year) and to be honest we need to win all nine games to get into the top eight.

Bunty Afoa

Players with accommodation in Auckland have been allowed to stay away from the team hotel this week, with the full squad back staying together on Saturday night ahead of the match.

“You have got to give it the right balance… you have got to make sure that they can go and see their families that they haven’t seen in a long time,” Jones said.

“But we have made it strict that we are here for a job.”

The loss of fullback Reece Walsh, who tested positive to COVID-19 on Friday, sees Chanel Harris-Tavita start at the back and Aaron Pene join the interchange.  

Jazz Tevaga is again named to start in the front row, with Afoa to come off the bench in his milestone match.

The Samoa Test prop said it’s a mark he’s proud to reach after a torn ACL in 2020 caused him to miss a full season and threatened to end his time at the Warriors, before he impressed enough to earn a new deal through to the end of 2023.

“I have kept it to myself, but that was a tough time for me in the period when I did my ACL,” Afoa said.

“I just trusted myself and believed in myself that this is where I belonged, and that I wanted to go back to the club.

“You want to be a one-club man, that’s what I want to be.

“I love this club, they have given me the opportunity to play and provide for my family.”

Afoa will bring up the milestone alongside Tevaga, who he won the 2014 U-20 competition with, while another graduate of that team, Ken Maumalo, will line up on the wing for interim coach Brett Kimmorley' Tigers.