Wests Tigers head to Auckland to tackle the Warriors on Friday night, hoping to put a full stop on a four-match losing streak.
Match: Warriors v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Last week’s loss to the Rabbitohs was a vastly improved performance from the week before at Shark Park, with Wests Tigers leading on the hour mark, before fading at the back end.
The Warriors are coming off two nail-biting losses with a bye in between. Last weekend in Canberra they outscored the Raiders four tries to three but only landed one goal.
Prior to that they were on the end of a 13-12 golden-point loss to the Bulldogs in Round 19.
In team news there are several changes for the Tigers with captain Api Koroisau (calf), Isaiah Papali’i (ankle), Starford To’a (hamstring) and Alex Seyfarth (HIA) all returning from injury.
This match takes on extra significance for Papali’i who will make his 150th NRL appearance against the club he made his debut with in 2017.
The absence of Aidan Sezer (suspension) sees young half Latu Fainu wearing the No.7 jersey for the first time, with Reuben Porter replacing John Bateman in the second row.
For the Warriors Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moves from wing to fullback to cover for Taine Tuaupiki (head knock), Ed Kosi comes in on the wing with Moala Graham-Taufa replacing Adam Pompey (knee) in the centres.
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
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson FordInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
-
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:
Fast Facts:
- 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.
