NRL: Polished attacking performance imminent for New Zealand Warriors

Expect a polished attacking threat from the New Zealand Warriors, when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs on Sydney on Sunday.

Fresh off back-to-back wins against the St George Dragons and Newcastle Knights, the Auckland-based club is inching ever closer to a first NRL playoff appearance since 2011.

A win over the Bulldogs would accomplish that and the Warriors hope they will click into gear as an attacking force.

Despite a stupendous defensive effort over the past two weeks, conceding only three-tries, the Warriors have struggled with ball in hand since thumping of the Broncos 26-6 in July.

Stephen Kearney's side have only managed 56 points in the four matches since, scoring just one second-half try in the process - a Blake Green effort against the Knights last Friday night.

The Warriors playmaker is confident the club will turn their attacking form around as the season comes to a close.

"It's something we are working on all the time," Green said. "I think we are close.

"We had a few moments in the game that took the pressure off them a bit. We came up with a few little errors at the end of sets and took away the momentum a little - just a little bit more work to do."

That sentiment is echoed by Green's halves partner, Shaun Johnson.

The 27-year-old arguably had his best game of 2018 against the Knights, producing a fine kicking and running display.

Johnson believes the Warriors produced a measured attacking display against the Knights, but admits they should have won by more.

"The Knights never went away," Johnson said. "They scraped and fought the whole way to make it difficult for us.

"We were eventually able to build some pressure - but the improvement for us is to make the most of those periods.

"We let them off the hook a few times, especially on the last play, where we couldn't quite nail it.

"It's about playing a bit more instinctive - sniffing around the ball a bit more.

"Adam Blair's try at the weekend was a great example of that. We were just a bit more instinctive and reacting to the defence in that situation.

"I'm pretty confident that we are not far off producing a very good attacking performance."

Despite a 14-point gap between the Warriors and the Bulldogs on the ladder, Johnson has been impressed by recent performances from the Sydney club.

In the past four weeks, Bulldogs wins over the Wests Tigers and Broncos have hampered those two clubs' playoff march, and Johnson is expecting a 'nothing-to-lose' showing on Sunday,

"They are a tough side - they have proved that the last few weeks," Johnson said.

"They will try and rough us up a bit, and get in our faces. We need to be prepared for that and take them head on."

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