The New Zealand Warriors say they are not taking a win for granted against the bottom-ranked Cowboys, and will have to work hard to avenge their round six loss when the NRL teams clash on Saturday night.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary this week told journalists the match against the bottom-of-the-table team would be tough.

"With all due respect to us, we are not in any position to be taking anything for granted. We will not be doing that," Cleary said.

The last time the teams played was in round six, when the Cowboys beat the Warriors 48-20.

But since then the Cowboys have lost nine games in a row and are carrying numerous injuries, including fullback Matt Bowen, prop Carl Webb and backrower Jacob Lillyman.

Cowboys centre Luke O'Donnell and five-eighth Travis Burns are on suspension.

Cleary said his team would seek to contain the North Queensland captain Jonathan Thurston and hooker Aaron Payne.

"I think everyone sort of knows what he (Thurston) can do. Stopping him is another thing," Cleary said.

"They have got a really good hooker in Aaron Payne, it adds a lot to them. So if we can contain those guys we are in a better position to contain what he (Thurston) does," he said.

Warriors captain Steve Price agreed North Queensland would be no push-over.

"They are playing some pretty good footy. We just have to make sure that we have got our best game," Price said.

"They had a bit of bad luck go their way, a bit like ourselves. But I don't think either side would use that as an excuse," he said.

Price was not put-off by reports the Warriors could be playing in front of a smaller-than-average crowd, because the New Zealand All Blacks would be playing in their Test against South Africa at the same time.

"I think it is a positive from our perspective, that people are actually upset that the games are on at the same time," Price said.

"A couple of years ago there wouldn't have been too many people worried," he said.

Price is yet to play in a winning home game this season.

The Warriors have organised a host of festivities to coincide with the first home game for prop Ruben Wiki since he played his 300th match last week.

"They are doing a few things on the night. They flew my mum over so she gets to experience the celebrations and I think my kids are running out with me halfway, so that will be cool," Wiki said.

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