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Match Preview

Warriors v Wests Tigers: RTS the No.1 gun; Koroisau, Papali'i return

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Timestamp

The Warriors suffered a heartbreaking 20-18 loss to the Raiders in their last game where they outscored their opposition four-tries-to-three but were only able to convert one of them.

The side were also hit with further injury blows, with fullback Taine Tuaupiki (head knock) and Adam Pompey (knee) - their two first-choice goalkickers for the game - ruled out in the first half.

After putting in what coach Benji Marshall lamented as their worst performance of the season in their Round 19 loss, the Tigers showed plenty of spirit in their high-scoring game against the Bunnies in Round 20, even leading a stages before going down 42-28.

This week, they will be without experienced halfback Aidan Sezer who accepted a two-week ban after being hit with a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact charge for a tackle on Bunnies fullback Jye Gray. 

Marshall will have the services of his captain Api Koroisau, who has been sidelined with a calf complaint, while Isaiah Papali'i is also back on deck.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Wests Tigers

Team News

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). No late changes for the Warriors, with Tom Ale the 18th man.

Wests Tigers: Skipper Api Koroisau is set to make his comeback from a calf injury in a major boost for Benji Marshall's side. Back-rower Isaiah Papali'i is also back from an ankle injury and Alex Seyfarth (head knock) returns on the bench. Adam Doueihi has been rested for the clash, with Star To'a featuring in the centres. One day out from the game, Justin Matamua, Kit Laulilii, and Tony Sukkar were omitted from the extended squad. There have been a number of positional changes one hour out from kick off, with Koroisau moving to halfback, Tallyn Da Silva shifting to hooker and Latu Fainu dropping back to the bench. Alex Twal has also shifted to the starting side, with Papali'i to make his return from injury from the interchange. Heath Mason remains the 18th man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Luke Laulilii
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Moala Graham-Taufa
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano   Utoikamanu
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Reuben Porter
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
  • Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Tom Ale
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated:

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.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

 

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.