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Match Preview: NRL Round 21 vs Warriors

Wests Tigers head to Auckland to tackle the Warriors on Friday night, hoping to put a full stop on a four-match losing streak.

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.

Api back on deck after picking up a calf injury against the Sharks
Api back on deck after picking up a calf injury against the Sharks

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.

Papali'i returns after long injury layoff to play his 150th NRL game
Papali'i returns after long injury layoff to play his 150th NRL game

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.

Tuivasa-Sheck celebrates after scoring a try against the Raiders last weekend
Tuivasa-Sheck celebrates after scoring a try against the Raiders last weekend

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.

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:

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.
Acknowledgement of Country

Wests Tigers respect and honour 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.

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