After last weeks controversial match at Bankwest Stadium, the New Zealand Warriors return home to host a Canberra Raiders side fresh off their resounding victory over the Penrith Panthers.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
New Zealand Warriors
They had an exciting clash against the Eels in round 19 that unfortunately is only being remembered for the officiating. The Warriors have shown heart for the past six weeks and will need it in spades this week if they are to get their first win at Mount Smart since April.
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have been one of the success stories in 2019, and their odds as premiership contenders increased after they ended the Panthers winning streak with an emphatic 30-18 victory. Their defence has been outstanding all season and will be vital if they are to contain the Warriors electric backline.
SQUAD NEWS
New Zealand Warriors
Kodi Nikorima returns to five-eighth with Chanel Harris-Tavita moving back to the bench. Issac Luke has been named at hooker pending his meeting with the judiciary tonight if his two-week suspension stands Karl Lawton will move into starting line up. Lawtons return sees Adam Keighran move into the reserves.
New Zealand Warriors squad:ย 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Gerard Beale, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Blake Ayshford, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Jazz Tevaga, 14. Lachlan Burr, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 18. Karl Lawton, 20. Josh Curran, 21. Adam Pompey, 21. Adam Keighran
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have named the same line up that defeated the Panthers ins round 19.
Canberra Raiders squad:ย 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Iosia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine, 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunamis Lui, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Hudson Young, 20. Sebastian Kris, 21. Royce Hunt
HEAD TO HEAD
Played:ย 36, Warriors 18, Raiders 18
Latest Result:ย Warrior 20-16, Round 25 2018
KEY BATTLE
My key battle is between Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his former apprentice Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Both players have been standouts for their respective clubs and fans will be anticipating an epic clash between the former teammates.
Tuivasa-Sheck leads the NRL in running metres with 3307m and is the spark that ignites this Warriors side. Expect to see the Warriors captain feature heavily as the Warriors attempt to break the Raiders line.
Nicoll-Klokstad has hit the ground running since his move to the Australian capital, currently sitting third in running metres with 3015. In his first match against his former club playing in front of friends and family, he will be looking at making a statement much to Raider’s fans delight.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date:ย 2 August
Venue:ย Mount Smart Stadium
Kick-off:ย 6:00 PM (8:00 PM NZ Time)
Referee:ย
WHO WILL WIN?
For the Warriors to win they will need to improve their discipline and dominate territory, if they tire the Raiders out by forcing them to run out of their own half repeatably then holes will start to open up in the Raiders defensive line and allow the Warriors points to start flowing.
For the Raiders to win, they need to keep the Warriors back three out of the match as much as possible by kicking to the corners. Josh Hodgson will need to be active in the ruck area as the Warriors still struggle to defend in the middle of the park, a quick snipe out of dummy half with an inside ball to Nicoll-Klokstad could open the game wide open.
The Warriors will be hurting after their round 19 defeat and will be desperate to keep their season alive in front of what will be a vocal home crowd. If the past six weeks are anything to go by this match will be tight, but I’m siding with the home side here.
Warriors by 8
