Last week’s gritty win over the Balmain Tigers has kept the One New Zealand Warriors in the SG Ball Cup (under-19) finals picture but they’ll need more of the same in Saturday’s critical round seven encounter with the Eels in Sydney (12.00pm kick-off local time; 2.00pm NZT).
The 24-16 victory over the Tigers lifted the Warriors to six points, level with the Bulldogs and Knights but ninth on points for and against differential, one place outside the top eight.
The Eels sit three points ahead of the Warriors in sixth spot making the outcome of this week’s game vital to their prospects.
As it stands they will most likely need to win each of their last three games in the regular season to make the playoffs.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Cameron BamblettFullback for Warriors is number 1 Joseph Ratcliffe
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Samuela SoroviWinger for Warriors is number 2 Alexander Pua
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Nathan HowlettCentre for Warriors is number 3 Soane Ma'asi
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Lachlan VellaCentre for Warriors is number 4 Connor Bowden
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Cyrus BloomfieldWinger for Warriors is number 5 Waisake Ravosai
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Talen RisatiFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Wiremu Makea
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Lincoln FletcherHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Hinckley Ioka
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Steven NunnProp for Warriors is number 8 Krushil Koteka
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Jireh-Trey StewartHooker for Warriors is number 9 Amasio Tiatia
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Ryda TalagiProp for Warriors is number 10 Albert Balchin
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Stirling Faumui2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Militonimolela Sikuvea
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Christopher Petrus2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Lennox Tuiloma
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Billy FaneneLock for Warriors is number 13 Nathanial Talau Heighway Fifita
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Wesley TongamoaInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Rene Frame
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Maison OngInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Lucas Carmine
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Nicholas KotaracInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Anthony Vaigafa
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Interchange for Eels is number 18 Coby RavenInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacksyn Hill
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 20 Oliver WalkerReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Parekaahu Keepa
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Reserve for Eels is number 22 Viliami Fifita
Eels Ins
- Coby Raven
- Maison Ong
- Nathan Howlett
- Nicholas Kotarac
- Oliver Walker
- Steven Nunn
- Talen Risati
Warriors Ins
- Anthony Vaigafa
- Nathanial Talau Heighway Fifita
- Soane Ma'asi
- Waisake Ravosai
Eels Outs
- Jackson Koina
- Kordell Pritchard
- Lorima Rokosuka
- Michael Nauer
- Riley Davis
- Samuel Polley
Warriors Ins
- Dreytin Marriott
- Leuli Victor Kenese
- Lucas Vaaga
- Rico Finau
Last updated:
After the higher-ranked Parramatta they face the Western Suburbs Magpies, 12th on four points, and the Illawarra Steelers, 15th on three points.
Warriors coach Shannon Rushworth has been able to name a settled lineup this week, the only change at this stage coming in the front row where Krushil Koteka returns at prop while Micah Sula goes up a grade to play for the Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) side.
The Eels started the season with three big wins over the Magpies (48-10), the Sharks (40-16) and the Tigers (54-12) before drawing with the Steelers 24-24 and having their first loss last week to the Rabbitohs (10-44) last week.
