With their place in the finals assured, the One New Zealand Warriors have the chance to become minor premiers when they host the Sydney Roosters in their final Harold Matthews Cup regular season match at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on Sunday (12.00pm kick-off).
Last weekend’s dramatic last-second 20-18 win over South Sydney lifted the Warriors to the top of the table, equal on 14 points with Illawarra but just ahead on points for and against differential.
That’s where it could become a little tricky if the Warriors are to earn another accolade to back up their outstanding premiership success on debut in the competition last year.
While they have a points for and against reading of plus 62 points, the Steelers are just four points adrift on plus 58.
Illawarra – the only side to beat the Warriors – was on track to claim the minor premiership until it fell to its first loss of the season last weekend, going down 0-12 to the Roosters, who lie fourth going into the final round.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Jeremiah LemanaFullback for Roosters is number 1 Triston Ross
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Alexander PuaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Filipe Fakauho
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Hinckley IokaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jeziah Papa
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Soane Ma'asiCentre for Roosters is number 4 Bastion Armstrong
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Kaian OlsenWinger for Roosters is number 5 Cooper Moore
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Christiano EliaFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Charlie Webb
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Alapati Tusa SoagiaHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Lachlan Metcalfe
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Lucian MikaeleProp for Roosters is number 8 Charleston Te Rore
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Dreytin MarriottHooker for Roosters is number 9 Payton Gifford
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Krushil KotekaProp for Roosters is number 10 Paula Teisina
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Dougal Grant2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Ravai Tulevu
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tusi Fanolua2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jackson Rodwell
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tyson HansenLock for Roosters is number 13 Marquis Sando
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Amasio TiatiaInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Kalen Cashin
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bishop NealInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Kobi Siltala
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Kenny LafituanaiInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Roman Leilua
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ronan ByfordInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Daniel Ibrahim
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Parekaahu KeepaReplacement for Roosters is number 19 Aloysius Va'a
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Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Harlym McCabe
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Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia
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Reserve for Warriors is number 22 D'Angelo Mikaele
Warriors Ins
- Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia
- Bishop Neal
- Lucian Mikaele
- Parekaahu Keepa
Roosters Ins
- Aloysius Va'a
Warriors Outs
- Satali Asolelei Fretton
Roosters Ins
- Lucas Large
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The Steelers would seem to have the more comfortable assignment as they face a Balmain Tigers side lying 15th on the ladder with just two wins. They’ve lost their last three including a 12-22 defeat by the Warriors in round seven.
But, with the Steelers playing on Saturday, the Warriors will know exactly what the possibilities are ahead of taking on the Roosters.
They’ll do so with a side boosted by the inclusion of some players who missed the encounter with the Rabbitohs including prop Lucian Mikaele and second rower Bishop Neal.
Fullback Jeremiah Lemana, captain Tyson Hansen, halfback Alapati Tusa Soagia and middle forward Ronan Byford are all set to maintain their record of appearing in every game of the season so far.
