For the eighth straight match this season the One New Zealand Warriors will have a packed Go Media Stadium behind them for tonight's vital round 21 clash against the against Tigers.
The match, sold out a week in advance, has taken on critical importance for the Warriors following agonising losses by a cumulative total of three points - 12-13 to the Bulldogs and 18-20 to the Raiders when they outscored the home side four tries to three.
They have also lost two more key backs (and frontline goalkickers) in fullback Taine Tuaupiki (head knock) and Adam Pompey (knee).
After putting in what coach Benji Marshall lamented as their worst performance of the season in their 6-58 loss to the Sharks, the Tigers showed plenty of spirit in their high-scoring game against the Bunnies in round 20, even leading at stages before going down 28-42.
This week they're without suspended halfback Aidan Sezer as well as David Klemmer, Adam Doueihi and John Bateman but captain Api Koroisau and former Warrior Isaiah Papali'i are back on deck.
Match: Warriors v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Luke Laulilii
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Moala Graham-TaufaCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward KosiWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Reuben Porter
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy LussickInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson FordInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka HalasimaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Tom AleReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moves from wing to fullback to cover for Taine Tuaupiki (head knock) and Ed Kosi comes in on the wing. Moala Graham-Taufa is the new centre in place of Adam Pompey (knee). Props Bunty Afoa and Tom Ale along with utility back Ben Farr were omitted from the extended squad 24-hours from kick-off while Setu Tu has been retained as 18th player with Demitric Sifakula as 19th man.
Wests Tigers: With Adam Doueihi being rested, Star To'a returns in the centres while Latu Fainu takes over from Aidan Sezer (suspended) at halfback. Skipper Api Koroisau returns from a calf injury so Tallyn Da Silva moves to the bench. Back-rower Isaiah Papali'i is also back from an ankle injury and Alex Seyfarth (head knock) returns on the bench. Prop David Klemmer (ankle) is replaced by Fonua Pole while Reuben Porter comes in for John Bateman. One day out from the game, Justin Matamua, Kit Laulilii, and Tony Sukkar were omitted from the extended squad.
Barnett: We understand our reality - it's must-win
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won their last six games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have not won in New Zealand since 2018. - The Warriors have lost five of their past six games against teams sitting outside the top eight.
- Tigers captain Api Koroisau has an 80 per cent winning record against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 13 tries in his past 14 games at Go Media Stadium.
Match: Warriors v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
