NRL Warriors v Tigers: What you need to know

Warriors v Tigers

• Kickoff: 8pm, Friday 26 July
• Go Media Stadium Mt Smart - Auckland
• Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

Things were starting to feel very serious around Mt Smart this week at the press conference with coach Webster and the team all very aware of the challenge that lies ahead. As it stands, nothing short of winning every game for the rest of the regular season will guarantee the Warriors finals football. Having found themselves in nine games this season that have been decided by two points or less resulting in two wins and a draw, the Warriors have really found themselves hard done by this season with no help from the referees or freakishly talented opponents. However, stand-in captain and State of Origin winner Mitch Barnett is in career best form and still confident they can pull the job off.

After a complete clear out of the board, Benji Marshall's Wests Tigers have still struggled greatly this season. It doesn't stop there with more turmoil hitting the club Marshall's right hand man Robbie Farah has exited the club in spectacularly awkward fashion, as things only seem to get worse for the side.

Mitchell Barnett of the Warriors in possession. Canterbury Bulldogs v One NZ Warriors. NRL Rugby League, Accor Stadium. Photo: Photosport

Here's a look at the teams:

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett (c) 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker

Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Starford To'a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali'i

Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Alex Twal

Warriors selections

The backline has undergone a complete reshuffle this week with the Warriors finding themselves down heavily on outside backs. RTS finally takes the coveted fullback position outright for the time being with Nicoll-Klokstad and Tuaupiki both out. Adam Pompey is replaced by exciting prospect Graham-Taufa and Kosi finds himself on the wing again.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors claims the ball against the Canberra Raiders. Photo: photosport

Tigers selections

The Tigers will welcome the return of plenty of experienced campaigners including captain Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali'i. But they'll feel the loss of club stalwart Adam Doueihi again, as well as Adian Sezer due to suspension along with star forwards David Klemmer and Jon Bateman.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Past results

Warriors 30 - 22 Tigers

The only team to thank the Warriors for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tigers brought a home game over to a packed house at FMG Stadium Waikato and the two sides put on an absolute clinic in how to attack well and defend poorly. It was an absolute shootout of a match that went back and forth with late tries from both teams, but the Warriors ended up clear on their charge towards the finals.

Prediction

If the Warriors don't win tonight, the club has the potential to seriously spiral out of control. The season has proved that every club must be respected, whether first or 17th, but to be fair in patches the Tigers have been worthy. The Warriors need to take this game as an opportunity to reset and reconnect with each other and find some much desperately needed attacking flair. If they risk the arm wrestle with the Tigers they might just get blown out of the water, which would be catastrophic at this point for the club's season and identity overall.