Warriors coach Brian McClennan has leapt to the defence of winger Manu Vatuvei after the club stalwart came under criticism for his performance against the Wests Tigers.
Vatuvei struggled in the 24-22 loss in Sydney last Friday, seeing his error total reach 24 for the season; a figure that tops the NRL in blunders so far in 2012.
Long a target of talkback callers for his up-and-down handling skills, Vatuvei's form has led to calls for his axing from the top side.
Yet McClennan is standing by his No5. While the former Kiwis coach admitted that Vatuvei, the Warriors' leading tryscorer with 94 four-pointers, had areas of his game to work on, he still sees the 19-test Kiwi as the best winger in the world.
"I back Manu the whole way," McClennan said.
"I think what he's done for the club has been outstanding over the years. There's a couple of areas there that we've looked at and looked for ways to improve it that's what we do.
"I've got to say, out of all the wingers in the world, he's the one I want to have in our Warriors side."
McClennan said Vatuvei's size and skill gives him the ability to do things on the league paddock that few others can, making him a valued member of the Warriors lineup.
"Is there mention of the great tap-back he got back [against the Tigers] for Ben Henry to score a try?" McClennan asked.
"Some of the carries he did to get us out and yardage I can recall one of them where he had to slide, and pick the ball up. Beau Ryan was on him and [Vatuvei] just shook him off like a dog shakes off water.
"There's a lot of things that the big guy does great for us. Go and ask his team-mates every time his name is on the team sheet, I'll tell you what, the other 16 blokes are glad."
