The winds of change through Mt Smart have been comprehensive over the past 12 months. In breaking down and laying new foundations in the genetic make up of the Warriors, Stephen Kearney has his comrades in the front office have built a squad that is nicely suited to the long toil of an NRL season. As new recruits were signed by the Warriors, many folk slept on how important these signings would be and instead focused on the price, skill value or other surface judgements.

A trip to Canberra after two solid wins against weaker/weakened opposition signals this aspect of the new Warriors. There is a lot that is 'new' or fresh about the 2018 Warriors, but being able to push Leivaha Pulu to left edge when Isaiah Papali'i left the Titans game with a knee injury mid-game is a low key example of these new vibes. This started a chain reaction of change during the Titans game and for this Raiders game, although the fact that the Warriors didn't suffer anything through the mid-game shift and actually gained something via Pulu's skill (which Papali'i doesn't quite have) is where we start.

Listen to Vaha Pulu share his story on never giving up.

In a team without Lord Simon Mannering, the Warriors were able to absorb the loss of Papali'i and pivot. In the past, losing a starting player would have had a negative impact, at the very least the Warriors would have struggled to maintain the same level and definitely not pivot into a different style. And part of that pivot included Adam Blair playing the whole first half and a fair chunk of the second half, a second half which featured Blair offloading twice in one set.

Losing a middle forward (Pulu had played middle in round tahi) meant that someone had to do more work than usual and Blair is well equipped to do so as his game is built on effort. The Warriors lost nothing on the edge and were also able to absorb the loss of Pulu's middle minutes because the roster is better; more experienced, more versatile etc.

You could argue that having Pulu's skill at left edge and Tohu Harris' abundant funk on the right edge is better, especially when it's Agnatius Paasi who fills Pulu's bench spot. The mere though of such skill levels from big men on either edge has me fizzing for this Raiders game and there is no one better to do Pulu's job off the bench than Paasi.

This isn't to say that Pulu is a better edge forward than Papali'i, or that this Warriors team is better than the team that started last week. The point here is to highlight how the Warriors can absorb an injury and not lose anything, even adding a different look to their team. Injuries and suspension are a mandatory occurrence in the NRL and this Warriors squad is far better equipped to deal ride the wave of the season.

Of course the key play-making positions are a bit different, but if there's an outside back injury you can take your pick from Gerard Beale (when he's back), Anthony Gelling, Blake Ayshford or Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad before you get to the youngsters like Junior Pauga or Lewis Soosemea. In the past, the youngsters were the depth.

If there is another injury in the forwards, well I'm sure Albert Vete would love some game time and Chris Satae got NRL experience last year. Let alone the fact that Ligi Sao has done a fine job filling in for Mannering - THEY HAVE ABSORBED THE ABSENCE OF LORD MANNERING.
I am not expecting a win in Canberra.

Canberra's a tough away trip and the delight in the first two Warriors wins has to be off-set by realism about a Titans team sans Ash Taylor and Jarrod Wallace for example.
I am incredibly hopeful and optimistic of a win in Canberra though.

We have seen the Warriors execute this fast, skillful style of footy with the right levels of grit and physicality so far. I believe that this could be a nightmare for the Raiders forwards who are going to be chasing the Warriors through the middle and then on top of that, a strong kicking game from Blake Green, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke will keep the Raiders coming out from deep in their own territory.

The offloads will play a part, although I do have a hunch that we will see more offloads at the Mt Smart Graveyard and a slightly more conservative style in Australia. For example, the Warriors will be more willing to showcase another new aspect of their play in challenging the Raiders to go set for set, engaging them in a grind and simply being tough to beat over in Australia.

We may not see quite as many offloads, we will still see Roger Tuivasa-Sheck running for 200m. We will still see Issac Luke scootin' and we'll still see Shaun Johnson running across field one play, direct to the line in the next play. Obviously we'll still see the Warriors forwards maintain this level of physicality and brutality; maybe just a few less offloads.

If Canberra can keep up with that, fair play. I reckon that a set for set grind with the Warriors is going to be a difficult proposition for many NRL teams and this could be on display over in Canberra.

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Peace and love 27.