Brad Inger previews the round three clash between the Tigers and the Warriors. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Date: Friday March 25, 5:00pm (8:00pm NZ Time)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesTigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Stefano Utoikamanu 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Alex Twal 16. Zane Musgrove 17. Jake Simpkin 18. Thomas Mikaele 19. Jock Madden 20. Alex Seyfarth 21. Starford To’a 22. Tukimihia Simpkins 23. Austin Dias 24. Rua Ngatikaura
Plenty of changes for the home side this week, starting with James Tamou returning, this means Alex Twal has moved to the bench. Luke Garner has moved into the starting lineup after Kelma Tuilagi failed an HIA in Round 2. Hooker Jacob Liddle is back from his knee injury, with Jake Simpkin moving to the bench. Jackson Hastings has been named in the halves but may miss the match if his night at the judiciary does not go well.
Embed from Getty ImagesWarriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Adam Pompey 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Rocco Berry 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh Curran 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Jack Murchie 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila 21. Taniela Otukolo 22. Pride Petterson-Robati 23. Peesi Kepu 24. Junior Ratuva 25. Edward Kosi
This week, there’s only one change for the Warriors, with Kodi Nikorima returning to the halfback spot after a hip injury ruled Ash Taylor out.
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Tigers return home this week after a less than stellar 26-4 defeat to the Knights in Round 2. Wests will be disappointed that they took a step backwards last week; however, they have a dangerous pack and exciting backline, and if they can target the Warrior’s weak edges and get the ball to Ken Maumalo or David Nofoaluma, then the points and victory will come.
The Warriors travel to Sydney after a narrow 20-18 defeat to the Titans; for the second week in a row, the New Zealand side has started slow, and it has cost them. They need their monster forward pack to swing momentum in their direction straight out of the gates and then let Reece Walsh loose; if that happens, they have a good chance of entering the winners circle for the first time in 2022.
Both sides have shown a massive lack of respect for the ball so far this season, and the winner of this match could be decided by whichever team ends the game with the higher completion rate.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
In the 33 clashes (since 1998) between these two sides, the Warriors have a slight edge winning 17 matches to the Tigers 16. The New Zealand side is on a three-game winning streak, with the Tiger’s last win over the Warriors being the 34-6 victory in Round two of the 2019 season. However, the Warriors have not won at Campbelltown Stadium since 2007.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 12.
Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook
