Warriors coach Andrew Webster has pinpointed a couple of key areas of success as his side prepares to host the Manly Sea Eagles this weekend.
The Warriors are aiming for their fourth win in a row, a run that has been built on being able to hold onto the ball and aim to make life as difficult as possible for teams fielding kicks.
"We want to win possession and field position. The best way to do that is to put the ball where you want it and Shaun's doing a great job," Webster said.
The Warriors are leading the NRL in kicks, with 119, and are fourth on total kick metres with 3116.
Shaun Johnson's accuracy was evident in their latest win, a 34-4 thumping of the Rabbitohs in Sydney.
Webster said: "You can only put the ball where you want it when you have a great chase … you ask every team: do you want the opposition to start three or four metres out from their line in the corner? They will all say yes. It's just that we've done it really well, we've put a lot of time into it, a lot of effort and we're executing at the moment."
Time and again that execution led to the Warriors starting their next sets in excellent field position. Webster paid tribute to one of the most consistent players so far this season for the amount of pressure they put on the clearly frustrated Rabbitohs.
"It takes a lot of effort, and it takes a good kick. Our right edge, particularly Rocco Berry, are doing a great job."
The Warriors also had an 84 percent completion rate compared to the Rabbitohs' 60 percent, something that Webster said was important but overall possession was the main goal.
"I think it has an impact on your possession rate … you can't have a high possession stat without it, but you can also help it by doing other things."
Warriors coach Andrew Webster at Pre-season Training. Photo: Photosport
Meanwhile, one of Webster's other main performers has been making headlines about a potential Origin call up for New South Wales. Wayde Egan was instrumental in two tries in the Rabbitohs win and Webster said that he was keen to have a conversation with the hooker about extending his time at Mt Smart.
"I don't plan on Wayde ever leaving the Warriors and I hope he feels the same. If he wants to stay, he'll be staying. We'll have that communication at the right time … I'm not taking Wayde for granted, we know how important he is."
Just how important he is will come into sharp focus now, as the Warriors will almost certainly be without Freddy Lussick after he was sent off in the weekend's reserve grade NSW Cup match.
Lussick's attempted charge down left Lachlan Ilias with a broken leg, which could mean a ban of up to eight weeks. Webster didn't want to be drawn on the pending judicial outcome.
"We'll let that process take its course. I think it's a bit silly to try and defend Freddy through the media, we'll do that on Wednesday night when we get the opportunity."
The Warriors will also be without prop Bunty Afoa, set to miss the next six to eight weeks with a hamstring issue.
However, Webster was confident they go into Saturday's sold out game at Go Media Mt Smart with Kurt Capewell and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who both sat out the Rabbitohs match with injury.
Webster said they will not be taking the erratic Sea Eagles lightly, especially as they are coming off an upset win over the Panthers.
"Their forwards are running the ball hard, I actually think they're playing a good style of footy. Luke Brooks looks unbelievably confident and 'Turbo' (Tom Trebojovic) is a pretty good player. They've got threats everywhere … it's a challenge and it's something the NRL's bringing every week. That's why the NRL's the toughest competition in the world."
