Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck admits the side are missing the experience and leadership of Simon Mannering following Friday's 30-14 loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The former captain has missed the past two matches due to a hamstring injury. His presence has also been missed as the Warriors missed 91 tackles in those games, while conceding 66 points.
The 30-year old is due back for next weekend's clash against the Brisbane Broncos in Auckland and Tuivasa-Sheck can't wait for the veteran to return.
"It's tough, Simon not being there for the boys - I feel like he's the pack's leader.
"But leadership-wise, Shaun [Johnson] and Issac Luke are still there, talking really well to the boys, Ryan Hoffman, all saying the right things.
"The boys, they're trying really hard, [but] it's all individual - everyone's going in their separate ways."
Coach Stephen Kearney has also noticed Mannering's absence, but told Brendan Telfer on RadioLIVE the rest of the team has to step up on his absence.
"There is no doubt. You don't like to put all the responsibility at Mannering's feet," said Kearney.
"Simon is not going to be there all the time and it is a matter of guys stepping up to the mark.
"We need guys stepping up to the plate."
Despite the poor performance against the Dragons, Kearney admitted to Telfer he was not mad with the players, but he was understandably disappointed.
"I was not angry with the players. I was angry last week, but I wasn't last night.
"We didn't front up physically and that was frustrating for everyone.
"We have to put that to side and take the lessons from it and move forward."
Meanwhile, former Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless believes the players are still getting over last week's tough loss to the Panthers.
Cayless, who played under Kearney at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, told RadioLIVE, the loss was put down to poor individual defensive errors.
"Maybe the players hadn't gotten over the loss against the Panthers last week," said Cayless.
"They made some poor individual defensive errors in the first half, and the Warriors right edge was targeted and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad learned a tough lesson last night.
"It is a ruthless competition and you have to be spot on with everything."
The Warriors will look to snap their two-game losing streak, when they host the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night at Mount Smart Stadium.
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