NZ Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has thrown his support behind interim coach Todd Payten and his forthright approach to their mentality.
The team will chase a second successive win on Friday night, when they face the Gold Coast Titans, amid continuing adversity off the field.
Watching from the sidelines last week gave the suspended Tuivasa-Sheck a different perspective.
"There were a few errors that they [Brisbane] made, but just how we held it together... Kenny [Maumalo] at the end of it had a great game."
After the coach criticised their resolve two weeks ago, the win over the Broncos proved they could grind out games.
Tuivasa-Sheck says they've accepted they need to be stronger.
"Toddy just put it how it is, he just made it real, saying it's happened.
"It's about adapting and just getting on with it, and being tough about it."
The test now lies in winning back-to-back games for the first time in more than a year and not letting their efforts against Brisbane go to waste.
"Let's not use any excuse against us - let's just face the reality and go from here."
Lock Jazz Tevaga returns - another boost for Payten, as he looks to shore up his side's mental strength.
"He's a pretty good aerobic athlete, but what sets him apart from most of our lads is, mentally, he's super tough," asserts coach Payten.
Friday night's clash with the Titans may prove crucial to how the ladder shapes up, and whether the Warriors can keep up with those chasing a finals spot and separate themselves from the four teams below.
And the captain's not going to be using any "bad luck" as an excuse.
"You never know the luck that we get, so it's being tough about the reality and I think that's what Todd's been harping on about," Tuivasa-Sheck says.
Back on the field this week, the fullback will see his side's new toughness through another lens.
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