As encouraging as the Warriors' performances in the NRL have been over the past two weeks, they have one over-riding target on their trip to Canberra.
"We need to win," coach Matthew Elliott said.
The Warriors ran competition high-flyers South Sydney close last Sunday before succumbing 24-22.
A week earlier, they grabbed their first success of the season by coming from behind to down North Queensland.
But they will head to Canberra Stadium on Saturday night bottom of the table, after the Raiders lifted themselves off last spot with their upset victory over the Sydney Roosters.
"It's refreshing that we're starting to play the type of footy I know we're capable of," Elliott said.
"But we need to get better to the point that it guarantees us victory on a far more regular basis."
The Warriors will have one piece of history against them on their trip to the Australian capital.
They have beaten Canberra on the road only twice, the last time a 22-10 victory at Manuka Oval in 2001.
The Raiders have prevailed in all six matches between the sides in Canberra since then.
Elliott, who was Raiders coach for five seasons from 2002, was in charge for three of those wins - as well as for a "home" match the club took to Wellington.
He said the main difference between the ACT and other NRL venues was the weather - "people don't like the cold".
But he said the Warriors wouldn't use the location as an excuse this weekend.
Skipper Simon Mannering said there was still some way to go in the season but, with a 1-4 record, the Warriors had to start chalking up the wins.
The fact that the NRL would be on hold next weekend because of the Anzac Test added to the urgency.
"It will be a long time between drinks if we don't play well on Saturday night," Mannering said.
"It's still early days, but it's an important one for us."
Mannering played in the Warriors' last three matches in Canberra, but said that was now history.
He said the job in front of the Warriors was to subdue a Raiders side who would have their confidence up after toppling the Roosters.
Source: http://au.rd.yahoo.com/sport/rss/rugbyleague/*http%3A//au.sports.yahoo.com/league/news/article/-/16681317/warriors-know-they-have-to-start-winning/
Topic: Warriors know they have to start winning (NZ Newswire)
