Everything was going right for the Tigers in the first 20 minutes last week against Parramatta, but they opened the door for the Eels to take control and the game slipped away.
The 26-16 loss left them precariously placed (5-6) in terms of finals aspirations and they can't afford to take the Warriors lightly.
Indeed, the Roosters found that out last week as they struggled to settle into their usual high-octane attack against a surprisingly stubborn Warriors.
Warriors interim coach Todd Payten would love a win against his former club on Friday.
Match: Wests Tigers v Warriors
Round 12 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Warriors
12th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-17. Alex Twal (knee) returns at lock and Luke Garner (concussion) in the back row. Oliver Clark starts at prop for the suspended Russell Packer while Michael Chee Kam won't be risked after a nasty head knock against the Eels.
Sam McIntyre drops to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth out of the 21 with Thomas Mikaele (knee) returning on the interchange. Josh Reynolds is available after serving a two-game suspension but was named in the reserves.
Fullback Adam Doueihi is named and expected to play as he progresses through HIA protocols. Outside back Robert Jennings has recovered from a hamstring injury and is included on the reserves. Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has scored five tries in seven games against the Warriors.
Reynolds and Chris McQueen were omitted from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off. Alex Seyfarth and Robert Jennings were cut an hour before game time.
Warriors: The Warriors are 1-17. With four players including wingers David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo returning to New Zealand, Patrick Herbert starts on one flank while Eels loan player George Jennings makes his club debut on the other.
Jennings's Eels teammate and fellow loan player Daniel Alvaro replaces Isaiah Papali'I on the pine. Hooker Wayde Egan also returns from a hip injury on the interchange in place of Chanel Harris-Tavita. Veteran Adam Blair is the only Warriors player who has played in a winning team at the SCG.
Jack Murchie and Josh Curran were cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Isaiah Papali'i and Adam Keighran were omitted an hour before game time.
Match: Wests Tigers v Warriors
Round 12 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam DoueihiFullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Patrick Herbert
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Chris LawrenceCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses MbyeCentre for Warriors is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Warriors is number 5 George Jennings
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Billy WaltersFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Benji MarshallHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl Lawton
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Oliver ClarkProp for Warriors is number 10 Jack Hetherington
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Wayde Egan
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Adam Blair
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Luke BrooksInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Shawn BloreInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Lachlan Burr
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Benji Marshall v Blake Green. They are the oldest halfbacks in the NRL and both remain integral to their respective teams. Marshall, 35, was supposed to be washed up five years ago but he continues to be a constant threat to opposing defences with his bag of tricks.
Green, who turns 34 in September, is the quintessential professional. He has never been the fastest or flashiest, but he reads the game as well as any playmaker and turns up every week believing his team can win.
Stat Attack
Warriors coach Todd Payten played 151 games in eight seasons with the Wests Tigers. After spending the first six years of his career with the Raiders, Payten played one season with the Roosters before joining the Tigers in 2004. He was a key player in the club's 2005 premiership-winning side, scoring the final try of the 30-16 grand final win over the Cowboys.
