GERRINGONG'S Tariq Sims is adamant his St George Illawarra Dragons side learnt a lot from Thursday's tough loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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The Red V led 16-nil midway through the first half before "lapses" by the Dragons saw the Rabbitohs storm back into the fixture - before eventually running with a 32-24 victory.
"The start of the game was great but it then fell away quickly and it was really poor," Sims said.
"Those lapses really need to get out of our game and that all comes back to each individual player and their game management.
"You saw how at the start of the game, they [Rabbitohs] took some time to adjust losing Adam Reynolds but then Cody Walker took the game by the scruff of the neck, just like the classy players do.
"We weren't able to capitalise on their loss.
"Their forwards started to get on a roll and once a great team like the Rabbitohs gain momentum, it's hard to wrestle back."
The round 12 loss, during the NRL' Indigenous round, marked Sims return to the side, following a one-game suspension.
"The game has changed a lot and every player, myself included, needs to adapt and change their techniques," the former NSW State of Origin back-rower said.
"It's something that burnt me during the week [against the Bulldogs], as I knew I should have been out there with the boys.
"I'm working hard to tweak my timing on the field because timing is everything in rugby league - I need to be better in that area."
Sims' Dragons, who now sit in 11th with a 4-8 record, next face the two-time reigning premiers Sydney Roosters on Thursday at WIN Stadium.
"A team like the Roosters is so well-drilled - anyone that comes in to replace an injured teammate is just as hungry and eager to impress," the 30-year-old said.
"They're a dangerous team across the park, headlined by two strike centres and two young halves - we have our work cut out for us.
"The Roosters are one of those teams that play for the full 80 minutes and are willing to make sacrifices to ensure they get the win.
"We do that in patches but need to be a lot more consistent across the board to get to that level.
"As such, it's important we take the fight to them and not let them get into their normal groove.
"Especially as it's Mitchell Aubusson's 300th game, the whole side will be up for the contest."
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The fixture will also see the two sides contest the Anzac Day Cup, coinciding with the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine - with the 75th anniversary of the Second World War's conclusion also to come on August 15.
"Anytime you're fighting for a cup like that, it's a special occasion and Thursday's match is no different," the Group Seven product said.
"There's no secret, we are going to be coming out and going to give our absolute best.
"Especially, as a South Coast kid, having the chance to play at WIN Stadium, it doesn't get much better than that."