Leka Halasima (Warriors) and Alex Twal (Tigers) will face off at Go Media Stadium. Photo: RNZ/Liam Swiggs
Warriors v Tigers
Kickoff 4pm Sunday, 13 July
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
History
NZ Warriors enjoy a 22-16 all-time advantage over Wests Tigers, although they have actually been outscored (829-821) across those contests. Their edge is 9-5 at Go Media Stadium.
The Warriors actually haven't lost since 2019 - that's eight straight games - but needed a late penalty goal from Luke Metcalf to emerge 26-24 winners at Campbelltown in March.
In 2004, the Tigers inflicted a 50-4 defeat on the Warriors at Christchurch's Jade Stadium, and also ran up half centuries in 2010 (50-6) and 2015 (50-16).
The Warriors' biggest winning margin was 42-18 in 2014, when winger Glen Fisiiahi scored four tries and Shaun Johnson converted five of eight tries.
Form
Before their third and final bye week, the Warriors suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season against Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos.
They don't have a great record after byes, losing on both previous occasions this season, but this one may be perfectly timed to regroup and reclaim some momentum, especially after losing star halfback Luke Metcalf for the season.
With 10 wins from 15 games, they are still well placed at fourth on the NRL table, four points clear of their nearest pursuers, but only two points cover the next six teams, so they can't afford the wheels to completely fall off the wagon.
The Tigers (6-10) are only two points off the bottom of the table, currently held by Gold Coast Titans, but also four points outside the playoff contenders.
They broke a six-game losing streak with an outstanding 30-28 win over Sydney Roosters last week.
Teams
Warriors: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Rocco Berry, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Tanah Boyd, 8 James Fisher-Harris (c), 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20 Sam Healey
With Metcalf lost for the season and Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad out for a few weeks, coach Andrew Webster has had to find replacements at halfback and fullback. Former Gold Coast half Tanah Boyd is named for his club debut, while Taine Tuaupiki deputises in the No.1 jersey.
Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is back early from his ankle injury, while Jackson Ford and Leka Halasima are promoted from the bench into the starting pack. Origin star Kurt Capewell was named in the extended squad, but ultimately dropped out, as a recovery precaution.
Tigers: 1 Sunia Turuva, 2 Charlie Staines, 3 Adam Doueihi, 4 Starford To'a, 5 Jeral Skelton, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Latu Fainu, 8 Terrell May, 9 Api Koroisau, 10 Fonua Pole, 11 Samuela Fainu, 12 Tony Sukkar, 13 Alex Twal
Interchange: 14 Tristan Hope, 15 Alex Seyfarth, 16 Sione Fainu, 17 Jack Bird
Reserves: 18 Heath Mason, 19 Charlie Murray
Veterans Jarome Luai (Origin) and Api Koroisau (injury) return, after missing the win over the Roosters, with Adam Doueihi sliding to centre and Tristan Hope to the bench. Jack Bird is also on the interchange, after he was a late illness withdrawal last week.
Player to watch
Prop Terrell May came to the Tigers under a cloud, after he was allegedly involved in some off-field misbehaviour with the Roosters. If you're a Fantasy NRL fan, May has been the top scorer this season, leading the competition in runs, decoy runs and offloads.
NSW could have used him in Origin.
Kiwi to watch
Five-eighth Jarome Luai is an honorary Kiwi by virtue of his Māori heritage, but plays internationally for Samoa and in Origin for NSW, where he was born. He helped Penrith to their four consecutive NRL crowns and is now helping coach Benji Marshall turn the Tigers culture around.
What will happen
Playing at home, with a big crowd behind them, the Warriors absolutely must turn their recent fortunes around with a win against a side they have already beaten this season.
They may have no byes left up their sleeves, but they have the Tigers (13th), Newcastle Knights (14th) and Gold Coast Titans (17th) in their next three games, and a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
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