Any chance of finishing fourth disappeared with the Broncos' win over the Storm last night but the One New Zealand Warriors have plenty to play for in their final regular season clash against the Sea Eagles tonight.
Not least is the improvement they're desperately seeking to take into their week one finals encounter, now confirmed for Go Media Stadium.
Victory tonight will lift the Warriors into fifth spot but the Sharks would go ahead of them again if they beat the Bulldogs in their final game tomorrow night.
The Sea Eagles need to win by a massive margin in Daly Cherry Evans' final game for club to keep a faint finals flame flickering.
Manly needs an 82-point turnaround on points differential with the Roosters, who would need to lose big to Souths in tonight's second game.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 27 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
away Team
Warriors
6th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team news
Sea Eagles: The loss of Tolu Koula (knee) brings Clayton Faulalo into the starting side at centre while young gun Joey Walsh gets his first taste of NRL action off the bench. Prop Toafofoa Sipley failed in his bid to have his dangerous contact charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday and copped a four-game ban so a replacement will be needed on the bench.
One New Zealand Warriors: Just the one change for Andrew Webster with Sam Healey taking over at hooker from Wayde Egan (hip). Tanner Stowers-Smith has been listed in the #10 jersey this week after being swapped in from the bench to start the last two matches against the Titans and the Eels. Webster has been able to name the same backline for the third game running since centre Rocco Berry's return.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 27 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Clayton FaulaloCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tommy TalauCentre for Warriors is number 4 Rocco Berry
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew LodgeProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Warriors is number 9 Samuel Healey
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Warriors is number 10 Tanner Stowers-Smith
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jazz TevagaLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Joey WalshInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire Martin
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Caleb NavaleInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron SchouppInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Simione LaiafiReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Taine Tuaupiki
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Sea Eagles have scored 98 points in their past two games.
- The Warriors have won only one of their past six games at 4 Pines Park.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored 10 tries in six games against the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
