The Canberra Raiders have vowed to release the shackles to solve their second-half scoring woes, with players admitting they've been guilty of going into their shells when the game is on the line.
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While their first halves and defence has been superb, the Raiders have justified their unwanted nickname the Faders in the second half.
They've outscored their opponents in the first half 77-44 the first six rounds, but have scored just 18 points and conceded 80 after the break.
Forward Frank-Paul Nu'uausala believes they need to have the courage to be more adventurous late in games, rather than shutting down and defending a lead.
"We had our review and at the back end we didn't chance our arm, we just played our footy without taking risks," Nu'uausala said.
"We saw it on video: if we did that we could have won that game. In the second half we've been dropping off that 10 minutes after the break.
"I reckon [we need to] just play more footy instead of getting to our kicks. We'll talk about that and rectify it this weekend.
"We need to start the second half how we start the first, we'll sort it out."
The Raiders have been kept scoreless in the second half three times already this year, including last week's 14-10 home loss to Melbourne where they led 10-2 at half-time.
Canberra have held a half-time lead or been level in five of its six games this year, but have a 2-4 record before Sunday's clash with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
Bench hooker Glen Buttriss said the team had been playing not to lose after building a lead, rather than taking the game on.
"Our first half has been pretty good this year, but it's just that second half where we're dying off in that first 20 minutes," Buttriss said.
"If I can pick up my role, hopefully we can have a better second half.
"It's a little disappointing because of how well we're starting games, but not coming away with the two points.
"We've had a talk about that. Hopefully we can play a bit more footy at the back end."
Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin, one of their more dangerous attacking options this year, pointed out the Raiders have been starved of possession in many second halves.
But he acknowledged they did need to become less predictable and throw more at rival defences.
"We've been showing a lot of defensive effort that has come at the 50 to 60-minute mark of games; it just drains you of energy," Austin said.
"We've got to invest more energy when we do get the ball and play a bit more footy, rather than just rolling through our yardage."
Nu'uausala's right leg is taped up after hooker Josh Hodgson collided with it attempting a kick against Melbourne.
"He kicked into my leg. I didn't feel it until I looked down and Hodgso was on the ground screaming," Nu'uausala said. "I carried on, and he got carried off.
"It was disappointing he went off for that last 30 minutes and I think if he was on he could have changed the game. His energy and work ethic is great for us."
RAIDERS SECOND-HALF DROUGHT
First-half points scored this season: 77
Second-half points scored this season: 18
Outscored opponents 77-44 in first half
Outscored by opponents 18-80 in second half (kept scoreless three times)
Have led four of six games at half-time, scores level against Warriors in round two.
SUNDAY
NRL round seven: Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval, 2pm
Tickets available from Ticketek
TV: Live on Fox Sports
