Warriors coach Andrew Webster has an eye on his rivals this weekend. Photo: DAVE HUNT/Photosport
With an NRL top-four position still at stake, NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster will cross the Tasman, perhaps for the last time this season, expecting the unexpected.
His sixth-placed team have a slim chance of grabbing a treasured extra playoff life, if they can overcome Manly Sea Eagles on Friday, and closest rivals Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks stumble with the finish-line in sight.
"The rugby league gods have got a twist coming," Webster warned. "I don't know what it is.
"I don't know if it's in our favour or against us, but whatever it is, we'll deal with it.
"If that means those teams lose and we win, it takes care of itself, but there's something coming. I don't know what it is, but something always seems to happen with us."
It's a long shot and probably should never have come down to this, after the Warriors sat third on the table with a six-point buffer to fifth halfway through the season and the easiest run home of all the postseason contenders.
"I definitely know, I think everyone does," Webster said of the calculations. "I can absolutely promise you that we haven't spoken about that, but I think everyone knows.
"We made a pact that we weren't going to talk about the finals, we were going to talk about our quest to improve and the outcome of that would be a positive thing.
"I know we're an opportunity to come fourth or sixth, and whatever the outcome is, that's fine. If we walk off the field happy with the way we played, that will be exciting heading into the playoffs."
Even their coach would admit they have been their own worst enemies at times, unable to maintain their own high standards for long enough to close out winnable games down the stretch - but he's also sure the scramble for playoff spots isn't quite over yet.
"We've got to concentrate for longer and play our best football or get as close to it as we can," Webster said. "We're never going to be perfect, we've realised that for a long time now, but we've got to be more consistent in what we do.
"We still look very good... we just want to have that consistent 80-minute performance."
This last weekend of the regular season presents a minefield for those still trying to improve their standings or searching for momentum against those who looking beyond to the first round.
Thankfully for the Warriors, both Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs seem prepared to field full-strength sides against the Broncos and Sharks respectively, as they battle for second, but if the Storm prevail on Thursday night, the Bulldogs may yet pull their stars, with nothing left to gain.
If the Broncos win, the Warriors would be left chasing a morale-boosting win against opponents that could still enter the top eight through the back door, while providing a fitting farewell to star halfback Daly Cherry Evans, who won't be back next season.
"They'll want to send him out a winner," Webster said. "He's had a big impact on their club and recently played his 350th [game], so he's done a lot for them.
"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of emotion and they have a tiny, tiny chance maybe of making the eight, so they've got a lot to play for.
"It's not like we're facing a team that's at the end of the year and doesn't care - they care a lot."
While other teams have opted to spell frontliners, the Warriors haven't pulled any punches. Front-rower Jackson Ford is serving the final week of a three-week, dangerous-tackle ban, while hooker Wayde Egan is nursing a hip injury that impacted his performance against Parramatta Eels last week.
Webster insisted there was little thought given to running more of the reserves squad, who have earned a playoff bye in NSW Cup competition this week.
"Honestly, no," he said. "We just thought anyone that was jeopardised getting to the start-line for week one, then they shouldn't play, but that's not resting - they've actually got an issue and we can't jeopardise that."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
