Eels ready to get gritty

Parramatta are preparing to go from pretty to gritty for their NRL qualifying final clash with the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night.

The Eels were electric in their stunning 13-try 68-22 final round rout of reigning premiers Brisbane last weekend, stunning the Broncos with some inventive and incisive razzle-dazzle play.

Prior to leaving Sydney for Auckland on Wednesday, senior Eels suggested some of last week's tricks were likely to be left in the cupboard as they attempted to overcome a free scoring Warriors outfit.

"If the weather's different we're going to have to pull back on a few things," forward Nathan Hindmarsh said.

Centre Timana Tahu felt Parramatta would need to grind out a win over the Warriors.

He was especially wary of the threat posed by fullback and former team-mate Wade McKinnon.

"I think Wade McKinnon is a big danger," Tahu said.

"He's an intense bloke and a competitive fullback, and I think he's one of the best fullbacks I've played this year. It wouldn't surprise me if he did get an Australian jersey.

"He's probably the massive danger. If the Warriors get a roll on, he can carve us up, so we've got to watch out for him.

"They are a big forward pack and once they get a roll on, they get confidence in their team, they can throw the ball around too.

"We've just got to try and stay on our toes and try to grind out the game with them."

Hindmarsh stressed the Warriors' firepower stretched well beyond their starting line-up.

"You can't really pinpoint all their threats because they are strong across the board, from fullback to front row and they've got great bench players," Hindmarsh said.

"A lot of teams, their bench can let them down, but I think with the Warriors it keeps their momentum going."

Last week's sensational win over the Broncos ended a three-match losing streak and infused Parramatta with renewed confidence, but it hadn't made them cocky, according to Hindmarsh.

"The way we played we're not over confident, but we took a bit of confidence out of the game," Hindmarsh said.

The listed 17-man Parramatta squad was accompanied by back Joel Reddy and injured fullback Luke Burt, who paid his own fare to Auckland to support his team-mates.