Since the Warriors have lost the past six matches at Mt Smart Stadium and Manly are on a three-game winning streak, hopes of staving off a seventh defeat could be optimistic at best.
But Stephen Kearney is likely to get a response from his players as so often happens in the NRL after a thumping - and the bruises both physically and mentally from the 46-12 loss to Canberra would be pivotal to turning things around against the Sea Eagles.
Manly won the early meeting between these two in round three down in Christchurch by the exact same scoreline as the Raiders a week ago - that could be a second piece of motivation right there.
And with Des Hasler's men safely ensconced in the top-eight perhaps they will take their foot ever so slightly off the pedal, which will be enough for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ken Maumalo, Jazz Tevaga and Agnatius Paasi to get under their guard.
Match: Warriors v Sea Eagles
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
The Rundown
Team news
Warriors: Josh Curren and Hayze Perham drop out of the match-day squad. Blake Ayshford is out, with Gerard Beale moving to centre. Adam Pompey, who made his Telstra Premiership debut last month, comes in on the right wing as Ayshford's replacement. The Warriors have lost their past six games at Mt Smart Stadium.
Sea Eagles: Manly are 1-17 with Jack Gosiewski and Lachlan Croker the final cuts. No changes to the side named on Tuesday for the high-flying Sea Eagles. Apisai Koroisau is again expected to start with Manase Fainu to come off the bench. Brendan Elliot and Lloyd Perrett were cut from the extended bench on Thursday night. Manly have won 14 of their past 16 games against the Warriors.
Match: Warriors v Sea Eagles
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua
-
Centre for Warriors is number 2 Gerard BealeCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta HikuCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Moses Suli
-
Winger for Warriors is number 20 Adam PompeyWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Dylan Walker
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Agnatius PaasiProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jazz TevagaHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Leeson Ah MauProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Adam Blair2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Lachlan BurrLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Adam KeighranInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Manase Fainu
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Sam LisoneInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Morgan Boyle
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ligi SaoInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela Paseka
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Tim Roby
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Two workhorses go toe-to-toe in Warriors lock Jazz Tevaga and Many linchpin Jake Trbojevic. Both men love the tough stuff and neither will take a backward step.
For the Warriors to win
The health of the halves - five-eighth Kodi Nikorima's ankle in particular - might play a part in all this. Then again Chanel Harris-Tavita was one of the Warriors best in a poor effort across the board against the Raiders. The young half also scored two fine tries - one by being the perfect support player to halfback Blake Green. If the Warriors halves can be as creative and crafty as we know they can then Manly defenders will be in for a hard night.
For the Sea Eagles to win
The emerging combination between Dylan Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans in the Manly halves is bringing very pleasing results. The pair had a total of three line-break assists and four try assists between them in the big win over the Knights last week. More of the same in this game will go a long way toward a 13th win of the year for Hasler's team.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Warriors need to show some pride playing at their home venue. Manly are flying, they are proving themselves genuine contenders. Des has got all of those previously unknown players playing great. That takes the pressure off Jake, Tom and Daly. Tommy Trbojevic was quiet last week – but it didn’t matter. Another win for Manly here. Sea Eagles by 16
Stat Attack
Stopping Manly's second-phase play is sure to high on the agenda for Stephen Kearney's men. The Sea Eagles top the NRL for offloads (245) in 2019, with second-rower Curtis Sironen the team's best exponent with 40 (fifth in NRL).
And another thing ...
The Warriors, through players like Agnatius Paasi, Leeson Ah Mau, Sam Lisone, Adam Blair, Tevaga, and Tuivasa-Sheck, lead the NRL in post-contact metres, making the Auckland men kings in brushing off or dragging defenders in the tackle.
