Match Preview: Must-win encounter with Eels
Despite their struggles in 2024 the One New Zealand Warriors are still just three points outside the top eight with five games left to play before their final round bye.
Tonight they host Parramatta at Go Media Stadium for the first time since 2017 looking for a third straight home win after beating the Broncos 32-16 in round 17 and Wests Tigers 28-16 last Friday night.
A knee injury to back-rower Jackson Ford in the win over Wests Tigers has added to a bulging injury toll but there's still plenty of pride and passion inside the Warriors' camp as they look to finish the season strongly.
A win over the struggling Eels is a must for Andrew Webster's side given they face tough away games against the Dolphins and Sea Eagles in the ensuing fortnight.
Star playmaker Shaun Johnson returns from an Achilles injury in a huge boost for the Warriors while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) is also back on deck.
The Eels have lost their last six on the trot as they deal with an injury crisis interim coach Trent Barrett says he has never seen the like of in all his years in the game.
The blue and golds dug deep at home last Friday to trail by six at half-time against the Storm but two tries in 12 minutes to a rampant Will Warbrick and Tyran Wishart snuffed out their resistance.
Parramatta's squad boasts two former Warriors in Christchurch-born halfback Daejarn Asi and second rower Shaun Lane, two Northlanders in Kiwi half Dylan Brown and Māori All Stars prop Wiremu Greig and Auckland-born middle forward Joe Ofahengaue
There's a brotherly clash in store with Freddy Lussick on the Warriors' interchange and his older sibling - and fellow hooker - on the Eels' bench.
Match: Warriors v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Eels is number 2 Jake Tago
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Moala Graham-TaufaCentre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy LussickHooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Eels is number 10 Wiremu Greig
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganInterchange for Eels is number 14 Joey Lussick
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom AleInterchange for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Luca Moretti
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka HalasimaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Dan Keir
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Demitric SifakulaReplacement for Eels is number 22 Makahesi Makatoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Shaun Johnson is back from an Achilles injury in the No.7 jersey and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also returns from a calf injury. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck slides to the wing and Ed Kosi and Te Maire Martin drop out. A knee injury to bench forward Jackson Ford brings Tom Ale into the 17. Demitric Sifakula and Taine Tuaupiki were retained in the squad when it was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.
Eels: Interim coach Trent Barrett has stuck with the same team that went down to the Storm in Round 22 with Dan Keir to play his second NRL match off the bench after debuting last week. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update with Ethan Sanders and Makahesi Makatoa retained in the 19-man squad.
Match: Warriors v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won three of their past four games at Go Media Stadium.
- The Eels have won four of their past five games against the Warriors.
- The Eels play their first game in New Zealand since 2017.
- Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has scored eight tries in 11 games against the Eels.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
