Rugby League: New Zealand Warriors coach Todd Payten says belief is growing as the team continues to under-bet towards the NRL playoffs

Warriors coach Todd Payten is taking his foot off the brake as his team continues its unlikely attempt to reach the NRL playoffs.

Optimism is through the roof around the Warriors after they crushed the Knights 36-6, even though they remain 9-1 outsiders to be in the top eight because their winning run may have come too late.

READ MORE:
• NRL 2020: Knights in tears as Todd Payten praised the Warriors’ ‘miraculous’ turn
• Rugby League: New Zealand Warriors remain in pursuit of NRL playoffs by crushing Newcastle Knights
• Rugby League: Mind games begin before NRL clash between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights
• Rugby League: Horror injury fate for New Zealand Warriors continues with three injuries in run-up to Bulldogs clash

The club’s immediate task will be to retain the services of wing George Jennings and the support of Daniel Alvaro, who is on loan from Parramatta, when they play the Eels on Sunday. And the eels, who are in third place, are unlikely to be in a good mood, after being crushed 38-0 by the Rabbitohs.

Jennings has been in excellent shape for the Warriors and provided a game highlight Saturday when he crushed Newcastle playmaker Mitchell Pearce. Pearce was central to the hopes of the injured Knights, and although he pressed on, the battered captain had no influence on the game in the second half.

Álvaro has been part of a group of Warriors that, ironically, seems to have been strengthened with the addition of players on loan this year.

The Warriors may have to win the remaining four games for a chance to overtake the Sharks, who are in eighth place, but interim coach Payten said he didn’t want the pressure to shackle him by his side.

“We are a good team, we are building, I think the belief is definitely growing and they are having fun,” he said.

“It is possible (to reach the final) but we play against a Parramatta team that is going to be desperate, they are physical, they are great, I think it will be our most important test this week. We will see where we are” you are at.

“We haven’t had a conversation (about the finals) although it will probably start in the media. But for us it’s pretty simple: my message is that everyone do their job. When you do, you get results like this, or at least dating. the victory.

“We are quite inexperienced (in dealing with the hype) and it is my job to keep it under control. But in the same sentence, our group enjoys freedom, and if I attack them and try to control them, it can hurt their footy.

“For the moment I let them go and I will run with what we are doing, we will see where it takes us.”

Payten said Jennings and Alvaro want to stay with the Warriors. Warriors CEO Cameron George will work to resolve the issue today.

One of the many impressive features of the latest victory was the way the Warriors patiently kept one foot on the Knights throat until they erupted.

Inexperienced running back Chanel Harris-Tavita played a big role in that, an encouraging sign after veteran playmaker Blake Green left midseason for the Knights.

Payten said a moment in Tamworth’s game showed Harris-Tavita is making great strides.

“I’ve said a few times how much I admire him as a person and as a footballer,” Payten said.

“He drove very well this year, he didn’t drop his head or kick rocks when he was out. He was very professional, he worked on his game, he soaked up information.”

“He followed Greenie, learned a lot in terms of conversation and direction, and I’ve watched him develop.

“What I liked about Chanel today came when there was an opportunity to change through midfield and Tohu Harris didn’t pass the ball to her.

“I actually saw him give Tohu a rocket and a bite, which is the development we needed from him.

“It’s a difficult task for the young halves to tell the older players where to go and what to do and I’m starting to see that.”