After last weeks poor performance, the New Zealand Warriors host a South Sydney Rabbitohs side looking to solidify their top-four aspirations.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors return to Mount Smart with their tail between their legs after a humiliating 42-16 defeat to the Cronulla Sharks. Their fans will be hoping for a much-improved performance for the Warriors last match in New Zealand for the 2019 season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs returned to form with a hard-fought 22-20 victory over the Brisbane Broncos. The Rabbitohs would have arrived in Auckland with lot’s of confidence, and their fans will be expecting a much larger winning margin this week.
SQUAD NEWS
New Zealand Warriors
Agnatius Paasi celebrates his 100th match by being named to start alongside Kodi Nikorima who also returns to the halves; this means that Lachlan Burr and Chanel Harris-Tavita have been moved to the bench. Ligi Sao takes Blake Ayshfords spot on the bench with Ayshford moving to the extended bench alongside Bunty Afoa who was dropped before last weeks defeat to the Sharks.
Warriors 21-Man Team List:ย 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Patrick Herbert, 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. Ligi Sao, 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 18. Bunty Afoa, 20. Blake Ayshford, 21. Adam Keighran, 22. Adam Pompey
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sam Burgess and Alex Johnston return to the starting line up while Kyle Turner has been named on the bench during Junior Tatola and Ethan Lowe. James Roberts is out of the match due to his suspension.
Rabbitohs 21-Man Squad:ย 1. Adam Doueihi, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Campbell Graham, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Corey Allan, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Sam Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Liam Knight, 11. John Sutton, 12. Jaydn Su’a, 13. Cameron Murray, 14. Tevita Tatola, 15. Kyle Turner, 16. Ethan Lowe, 17. Mark Nicholls, 18. Tom Amone, 19. Dean Britt, 20. Bayley Sironen, 21. Mawene Hiroti
HEAD TO HEAD
Played:ย 32, Warriors 17, Rabbitohs 15
Latest Result:ย Rabbitohs 28-24, Round 5 2019
KEY BATTLE
My key battle is between Kodi Nikorima and Cody Walker. Both players will be vital for their sides, walking away with a victory here.
Nikorima has had a mixed bag since his midseason move to the Warriors, and after coming off the bench last week as a hooker, Stephen Kearney has brought him back into the halves. Kodi boasts speed and incredibly dangerous with the ball in hand, and he will need to utilise this to exploit holes in the defensive left by the large Rabbitohs pack.
Cody Walker has been a standout for the Rabbitohs in 2019, cementing himself as the lightning rod that sparks his electrifying backline. Expect to see Walker stamp his authority on this match, setting up plenty of try-scoring opportunities for his side.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date:ย 30 August
Venue:ย Mount Smart Stadium
Kick-off:ย 6:00 PM (8:00 pm)
Referees:ย Grant Atkins and Dave Munro
WHO WILL WIN?
For the Warriors to win, they need to fic their defensive woes and close the floodgates. Show intensity and wrap up the ball carrier to eliminate the second phase football that has haunted them for the past month. With the ball in hand, they need to bring their offload, throw the ball around and play the entertaining style of football that their fans love.
For the Rabbitohs to win, they need to come out of the gates quickly; a few quick tries could end the night early. The Rabbitohs will be looking at using Damien Cook running out of dummy half to take advantage of the Warriors slow ruck defence.
The Warriors have been poor when playing in Auckland in 2019 and I don’t see it changing in their final home game. The Rabbitohs are desperate to end the regular season in the top four and will win this match convincingly.
Rabbitohs by 22
