RUGBY LEAGUE: The return of Queensland Rangers halfback Matt Duggan to the Wattles Warriors locker room at Platz Oval this Sunday is certainly a blessing for coach Gary Lawrence.

The gifted playmaker was an absentee in last week's loss to Souths due to his appearance for the Rangers in a 30-14 loss to the NSW Ron Massey Cup team. Duggan scored the first Maroons try.

Souths certainly have a spring in their step as they turn for the 2017 season run home after accounting for the Warriors.

This Sunday, life doesn't get any easier for Wattles, and while they will be running out on to home turf, they are hosting reigning premiers the Pittsworth Danes who are gaining momentum as the season unfolds.

While Lawrence contemplates his lengthy injury list, he still has faith that his youthful band of Warriors spiced with a handy dose of experience can roll the Danes. But only if those in green and gold can control the ball and reduce the high error rate of late.

"Matt Duggan's presence will give us more organisa- tion and options with the ball,” Lawrence said.

"We have players to score the points but need to play smart footy.”

"Defence and ball security are paramount, with a win making the world of difference to team confidence.”

It's certainly a wild ride home for the Warriors, aside from the demands of Pittsworth on Sunday, over the five-week run into the finals they face high liners Valleys, Dalby and Highfields.

Perched on the seventh rung of the TRL premiership ladder ,Wattles can ill-afford any more negative results if they are going to finish in the top six.

The Warriors last clashed with the Danes at Pittsworth on a Saturday night back in Round 2 when they went down 30-22 and Lawrence is expecting Sunday's main game to be just as unforgiving.