Barrett: It's an attitude thing

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett has questioned his team's attitude and desire after an 82-point turnaround in the space of six days.

The Sea Eagles were beaten at every post by South Sydney Rabbitohs in a 34-6 thumping at a wet ANZ Stadium, less than a week after towelling up Parramatta 54-0 in 39-degree heat on the Northern Beaches.

A downcast Barrett had only one explanation for the capitulation, which leaves Manly with a 1-2 record heading into next week's crunch clash with a winless Canberra Raiders outfit at Lottoland.

''We were flat and never looked in it to be honest,'' Barrett said.

''I thought they were good and they beat us in every department. 'They wanted it more. They were hungrier than us and it showed.

''It's an attitude thing. We're still a young team. We still have a young side but it's something we have to learn pretty quickly."

On a number of occasions throughout the first half, red and green jumpers were first to any 50/50 ball before running away with it after the break.

With 13 errors for the night, Barrett admitted his side failed to adapt to the greasy conditions after enjoying a day out in last week's heatwave.

''It started with Sam Burgess, with his hit [on Addin Fonua-Blake] early in the game,'' Barrett said.

''Any loose ball any kick, any deflection, they got. And we got shown up today. We didn't handle the conditions well at all. They bashed us through the middle of the ruck.

''Our last plays we've spoken about, they weren't good enough.''

A resolution to Manly's salary cap saga is predicted to arrive this week after the club was first served notice of alleged breaches in December last year.

Barrett denied the uncertainty and salary cap freeze has had any effect on the Sea Eagles' results, but welcomed a verdict from the NRL.

''It's hamstrung us a fair bit," Barrett said.

''From an administration and coaching point of view it'd be nice to get a final ruling on it so we can move forward. Our recruitment and our management of our roster next year and the year after has been non-existent.

''This has been going on for a long time, but hopefully we can get some information on it this week.''