The New Zealand Warriors are looking to be stingy on defence against Penrith in Auckland on Sunday as they try to maintain their surprise start to the National Rugby League season.
Tipped as wooden spoon contenders before the beginning of the competition, the Warriors are sixth on the table after three wins and two losses.
They have also made people sit up with their adventurous football, which is a world away from their often one-dimensional attack last year.
Their attitude of keeping the ball alive again paid dividends with a last-gasp 30-24 win away to the Bulldogs last weekend.
Skipper Brent Tate said the Warriors' ability to hang in when things got tight and come away with the points represented "a big performance" that would do plenty for the team's confidence.
But Tate also highlighted the number of points the Warriors let in and the fact that they allowed Canterbury to wipe out a 24-12 deficit.
He said defence would be an area the Warriors would work on ahead of the match against the Panthers.
"Looking back, that's the most disappointing thing," he said. "If you score 24 points, you would expect to win an NRL game. A couple of tries they did score were fairly soft."
When in possession, the Warriors' ad-lib style sees them leading many of the attack statistics.
They are equal second behind Wests Tigers in points scored, have produced the most offloads and tackle breaks, and are second for line breaks and metres gained.
Tate said one of the big things the Warriors had going for them was their ability to play second phase football.
"At times, we are pushing it a little bit." he said. "I just think that comes back to experience and playing more football, just knowing when to tuck it under and go forward, but it it is a fine line.
"It is a big part of our game and we've scored some good tries this year from keeping the ball alive. The coaches are definitely wanting us to do it, but it's getting that experience and playing more football just to know when to ice it and go forward."
The Panthers have also been playing some expansive football and they have built a similar 3-2 record.
Unlike the Warriors, who continue to battle a lengthy injury toll, they will be virtually at full strength with the return of five-eighth Travis Burns.
The home side, meanwhile, are again without the experience of prop Steve Price, lock Micheal Luck and second rower and skipper Simon Mannering in the forwards, as they were against the Bulldogs.
However, Tate said he wasn't surprised at how well the Warrriors' youthful pack matched up against their more experienced Canterbury opponents.
"They've been doing the job for us all year."
In the backs, the Warriors will again be without giant winger Manu Vatuvei and halfback Brett Seymour, but centre Jerome Ropati, who was not named in the 17, could return if he passes a fitness test on his injured hamstring.
