The New Zealand Warriors can heap on-field angst on an opponents' off-field issues for a second successive Sunday when the Parramatta Eels attempt to reignite a fizzling National Rugby League campaign in Auckland.
It shapes as a potentially unhappy homecoming for former Warriors coach Daniel Anderson, the man who guided them to the 2002 grand final.
The Australian achieved the same feat with the Eels last year but unless they find form soon last season's runners-up will struggle to make the top eight.
Anderson and Eels management have spent the early part of this week scotching suggestions he has fallen out with fullback Jarryd Hayne after publicly criticising his New South Wales and Kangaroos star following last weekend's 6-10 loss to the Brisbane Broncos.
The same time last week, the Sydney Roosters were hunkering down ahead of their "home" game in Christchurch after allegations squad members were illegally using prescription drugs to aid their preparation and recovery.
Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne was in damage control mode after Anderson took issue with an under-performing Hayne before media last Saturday night.
Hayne reportedly skipped a post-match function after the dressing down while his agent Wayne Beavis was demanding a summit meeting with Anderson before deciding to let the matter drop.
"I've spoken to Wayne, I've spoken to Ando (Anderson), I've spoken to Jarryd and everyone's moving in the same direction and there's certainly no problems here at the moment other than the fact we're not winning," Osborne said.
The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported one of the club's major sponsors, PainAway, threatened to withdraw its support because of a form slump that has seen the Eels drop to 10th with a six-win eight-loss record.
Osborne confirmed the $A500,000 ($NZ617,000)-a-season sponsor had contacted the club after the loss to the Broncos.
"Losses hurt and a few things were said after the game but I've spoken to the sponsor since and all is fine."
Parramatta co-captain Nathan Cayless addressed the players behind closed doors on Sunday to plot a path forward.
Anderson, meanwhile, reiterated there was no rift between coach and player.
"Look, it was part of my game assessment," he said.
"Haynesy is the player most likely in our team to create something. I'm working with him to try and get the best out of him for all of us."
Hayne may not be missed in Auckland after predictably being named in the NSW squad for the third State of Origin match in Sydney on July 7.
In 13 games this season he has scored just two tries - a return symptomatic of the Eels impotent attack.
They share the worst attacking record in the competition with the Cronulla Sharks after round 16 - 205 points. Second-placed Penrith Panthers have piled on 393.
Anderson admitted his halves combination of Kris Keating and Daniel Mortimer were also battling to emerge from a Hayne-style funk.
He reacted by dropping Keating to the bench - shortly after the 21-year-old confirmed a move to the Bulldogs at the end of the season.
Hooker Jeff Robson returns to halfback while Keating's brother Matthew has been recalled to take over at dummy half.
Interchange prop Tim Mannah is also absent on NSW Origin duty for the first time so potential debutants Pele Peletelese and Mitchell Allgood have been named on an extended interchange bench.
Although the Eels offence has been stilted Anderson has no complaints about his team's defensive duties.
They boast the second best defence (222 points) behind leaders St George Illawarra.
"That part of our game has been outstanding but it saps your morale when you can't score points," Anderson said.
"That sort of defence usually wins football games. Confidence is down but the mood is good."
The Warriors' own confidence has been boosted by Kevin Locke's last-minute try in Christchurch which saw them beat the Roosters 20-18, a result which lifted to ninth on 18 points, the same as fifth-placed South Sydney.
