Match Preview: All about pride in performance and jersey
Pride in performance and in the jersey are the drivers for the One New Zealand Warriors in their run home to the end of the regular season starting with Manly Warringah at 4 Pines Park in Sydney tonight (6.00pm kick-off local time; 8.00pm NZT).
With just three matches left plus their last round bye, the Warriors can reach a maximum of 29 points if they win every match.
Head coach Andrew Webster says while the chances of making the finals are “mathematically almost impossible” they have more than enough to play for.
“It's all about having pride in our performances and having pride in the jersey,” he said.
“Everyone plays for different reasons. They play for their families, they play for the fans or they play for the love of it. I feel we have to do that justice and be professional. There's lots to play for.
“It's mathematically almost impossible for us to make it but I think we'd never forgive ourselves if we don't give ourselves the best opportunity to do that.”
The Warriors go into tonight’s encounter with only two wins in their last six matches facing a Manly Warringah side which has won four of its last five games to sit sixth on 29 points.
The Sea Eagles had a barnstorming second half in Canberra banging on five tries in 18 minutes to provide a huge confidence boost.
The Warriors also kept the scoreboard ticking over with four tries in 17 minutes against the Dolphins last Sunday but came up empty in a golden point heartbreaker.
A challenging run with injuries this year continued with Shaun Johnson a late withdrawal due to a quadricep injury but the veteran playmaker is confirmed to start tonight.
The Warriors will be out to finish on a high note and give Johnson a fitting send-off as he retires after a glittering 14-season career.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 24 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy TalauCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 21 Luke Metcalf
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh AloiaiProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Gordon Chan Kum TongInterchange for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan BrownInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Tolutau KoulaInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Demitric Sifakula
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Toafofoa SipleyReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Team news
Sea Eagles: A change on Thursday with Karl Lawton replaced in the second row by Ben Trbojevic with Tolu Koula added to the bench as he returns from a knee injury. Josh Aloiai is also back from a knee injury so Nathan Brown shifts to the bench and Toafofoa Sipley drops out.
One New Zealand Warriors: Luke Metcalf has been added to the starting team and will play his first NRL game since suffering a broken leg in round four. Chanel Harris-Tavita goes to the bench. Freddy Lussick will start at hooker with Wayde Egan omitted due to an elbow injury. Shaun Johnson returns after missing the Dolphins game due to a quad strain while centre Adam Pompey (knee) and winger Marcelo Montoya (groin) are also back on deck. Ali Leiataua has entered the concussion protocols.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 24 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Stat attack
- The Sea Eagles have won eight of their past nine games at 4 Pines Park.
- The Warriors have won only one of their past five games at 4 Pines Park.
- Manly centre Tommy Talau has scored 10 tries in his past nine games.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored five tries in his past two games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored eight tries in four games against the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
