Stephen Kearney expects pity from nobody over the Warriors' woes with NRL officialdom and he's told his players exactly that ahead of their critical match against Canberra.
The Kiwi outfit suffered their latest setback with the game's authorities on Tuesday night when Issac Luke's appeal to have a dangerous tackle charge downgraded was dismissed by the NRL judiciary.
Veteran hooker Luke will miss three games, rounding out the fallout to a controversial two-point loss to Parramatta which leaves the 12th-placed Warriors walking a finals tightrope.
Kearney was outspoken about the refereeing in Parramatta and his complaints were justified by the NRL's own assessment of "serious errors" made by match officials.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley is to meet Warriors executives Cameron George and Brian Smith in Auckland on Friday to hear the club's grievances, many dating back beyond last weekend.
However, Kearney said that's where the issue should now lie, anxious his players aren't distracted by frustration with perceived referee and judicial unfairness ahead of Friday's home match against the in-form Raiders.
"The point that I made to them is put yourself in the opposition's shoes this week. Do you think they will be feeling sorry for us? Ricky (Stuart) and Josh (Hodgson) and their team? Absolutely no," he said.
"We can't be either. We know we've got to go out and compete really hard and focus on the really, really good things that we've done over the last half a dozen weeks and bring that energy and commitment."
Karl Lawton will replace Luke after overcoming a shoulder complaint that sidelined him for three weeks while Kodi Nikorima (ankle) is named to return at five-eighth in place of Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Kearney revealed there is a chance injured second rower Tohu Harris won't play again this season.
Former Melbourne star Harris underwent surgery on a fractured foot five weeks ago and was given a six-week recuperation period.
However, Kearney said that may have been generous, with the 27-year-old's availability for the remainder of 2019 hinging on the diagnosis of a specialist in mid-August.
AAP
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