Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott is keeping his line-up options open for Friday nights 19th-round NRL clash against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney (7.35pm kick-off local time; 9.35pm NZT). Photo: Photosport
While winger Manu Vatuvei has been named to make his return from a shin injury, Elliott has listed a seven-man interchange bench including three props Charlie Gubb, Russell Packer and Suaia Matagi.
Also included is winger Ngani Laumape, who made his eighth NRL appearance as Vatuveis replacement in the clubs last outing, the 13-30 loss to South Sydney in Perth on July 7.
Elliott said there was still a question over Packer and also in the same category is Gubb (groin), who became the clubs newest NRL player in Perth.
Those two have to be completely cleared first so theres some doubt there, he said.
Were not yet in a position where we can confirm what our line-up will be against the Tigers.
Whatever it is, this is a massive game for us. Were coming off a bye and so are the Tigers. The last time we played after a week off against the Broncos we were a bit off our game in terms of our attack. The effort was great but well need to improve in all areas at a place where its difficult to win.
In four clashes against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, the Vodafone Warriors one success was in 2008 when they triumphed 28-26 the day Ruben Wiki made his 300th NRL appearance. They lost 22-24 last year.
The Vodafone Warriors fly to Sydney tomorrow and will be joined the following day by Queenslands 18th man Jacob Lillyman after the final State of Origin match at AMZ Stadium tomorrow night.
Going into Friday nights match, halfback Shaun Johnson has kicked his last 17 goals on end and needs only three points to bring up 100 for the season.
Second rower Feleti Mateo will make his 69th consecutive appearance since joining the club in 2011 while Johnson, Thomas Leuluai and Ben Matulino will join Mateo in maintaining a record of playing in every game so far this season.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney
7.35pm, Friday, July 19
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1KEVIN LOCKE
2GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
5MANU VATUVEI
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
10BEN MATULINO
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
14CHARLIE GUBB
15JACOB LILLYMAN
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
18 NGANI LAUMAPE
20RUSSELL PACKER
21SUAIA MATAGI
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
While winger Manu Vatuvei has been named to make his return from a shin injury, Elliott has listed a seven-man interchange bench including three props Charlie Gubb, Russell Packer and Suaia Matagi.
Also included is winger Ngani Laumape, who made his eighth NRL appearance as Vatuveis replacement in the clubs last outing, the 13-30 loss to South Sydney in Perth on July 7.
Elliott said there was still a question over Packer and also in the same category is Gubb (groin), who became the clubs newest NRL player in Perth.
Those two have to be completely cleared first so theres some doubt there, he said.
Were not yet in a position where we can confirm what our line-up will be against the Tigers.
Whatever it is, this is a massive game for us. Were coming off a bye and so are the Tigers. The last time we played after a week off against the Broncos we were a bit off our game in terms of our attack. The effort was great but well need to improve in all areas at a place where its difficult to win.
In four clashes against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, the Vodafone Warriors one success was in 2008 when they triumphed 28-26 the day Ruben Wiki made his 300th NRL appearance. They lost 22-24 last year.
The Vodafone Warriors fly to Sydney tomorrow and will be joined the following day by Queenslands 18th man Jacob Lillyman after the final State of Origin match at AMZ Stadium tomorrow night.
Going into Friday nights match, halfback Shaun Johnson has kicked his last 17 goals on end and needs only three points to bring up 100 for the season.
Second rower Feleti Mateo will make his 69th consecutive appearance since joining the club in 2011 while Johnson, Thomas Leuluai and Ben Matulino will join Mateo in maintaining a record of playing in every game so far this season.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney
7.35pm, Friday, July 19
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1KEVIN LOCKE
2GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
5MANU VATUVEI
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
10BEN MATULINO
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
14CHARLIE GUBB
15JACOB LILLYMAN
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
18 NGANI LAUMAPE
20RUSSELL PACKER
21SUAIA MATAGI
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
