Manly coach Trent Barrett has given his players a much needed rest after fatigue got the better of the Sea Eagles in their round five NRL loss to South Sydney.
Barrett said he feared his side would be flat ahead of their round five clash with Souths at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night in their third match in 10 days.
A prediction that proved right on the money as the Rabbitohs raced out to an early 16-0 lead. It was a gap that Manly couldn't rein it.
As controversy continues to swirl in regard to teams being hit with five-day turnarounds between matches, Barrett has given his charges a long weekend to recover after their 2-3 start to the season.
"The boys will have three days off now before heading back to training on Monday, and they deserve it," Barrett said.
"It has been a tough 10 days. We head to Auckland next week and then we have to come back and do it (a five-day turnaround) again. So we are not through it yet.
"But the boys will rest up and get ready to do it."
Makeshift halves Dylan Walker and Apisai Koroisau starred in the 16-12 loss to Souths at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night in the absence of the injured Daly Cherry-Evans.
Barrett said they need more time together to work on their combination.
"They only had 20 minutes together on training so that will get better, I thought they were really great for us," he said.
Prop Jake Trbojevic missed the clash with Souths due to a knee injury but is expected to be fit to face the Warriors.
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