Covid years aside, the One New Zealand Warriors haven't had such a long break away from Go Media Stadium since 2014.
After a 56-day lag since playing the Gold Coast Titans on April 18, they're finally back on their home turf tonight facing the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.
In the time between they've been travelling here and there with home games away from home in Wellington and Brisbane and three away games in Sydney plus two bye rounds.
It's nothing compared to the 2014 season when the Warriors didn't have a true home game until their round 12 game against the Knights on June 7.
In the first 11 rounds the club opted to play three 'home' games at Eden Park and another in Wellington around away games in Sydney, Townsville, Melbourne, Hamilton and Robina.
Tonight two of the best forward packs in the game collide in a heavyweight clash.
Hooker Wayde Egan will lead the Warriors as they look to rebound from a round 12 loss to Penrith before last week's bye.
Despite the defeat, Andrew Webster's men remain second on the ladder and have emerged as title contenders thanks to a dominant pack and exciting outside backs.
The Warriors will be without Origin duo Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell, along with prop James Fisher-Harris (calf) but they retain plenty of punch up front.
Erin Clark continues to improve while Jackson Ford has emerged as one of the most improved players in the competition.
The Sharks have found form throughout the past month.
Despite the loss of co-captain Blayke Brailey and halfback Nicho Hynes, Cronulla has won three in a row thanks to inspired performances from Braydon Trindall, Jesse Colquhoun and Cam McInnes.
Ronaldo Mulitalo has also made an impressive return from an ACL injury, scoring four tries in just three games and will look to take another step towards inclusion in the Kiwis World Cup squad.
Match: Warriors v Sharks
Round 15 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been added to the six-man bench in Friday's 24-hour update as he looks to return from a neck injury while Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is back from concussion. Skipper James Fisher-Harris is sidelined with a calf injury so Tanner Stowers-Smith starts at prop. Marata Niukore also joins the starting side in place of Leka Halasima (hamstring). The loss of back-up hooker Sam Healey to a thumb injury sees Makaia Tafua in line for his debut while Kayliss Fatialofa and Jason Seu Salalilo are also in line to do the same. Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett were rested from the round 13 clash with the Panthers and again sit this one out as they join their respective Origin camps.
Sharks: Jesse Ramien returns in the centres after being a late withdrawal against the Dragons due to a knee injury. With Addin Fonua-Blake (NSW) and Briton Nikora (Queensland) on Origin duty, Jesse Colquhoun starts at prop and Billy Burns comes into the second row. Mawene Hiroti and Hohepa Puru move back to the bench after starting against the Dragons while Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha is also part of the six-man interchange. Sione Katoa is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from an ankle injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Tanner Stowers-SmithProp for Sharks is number 8 Jesse Colquhoun
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Makaia TafuaInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Mawene Hiroti
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kayliss FatialofaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Jason SalaliloInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
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Interchange for Warriors is number 22 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Reserves
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Luke MetcalfReserve for Sharks is number 20 Sione Katoa
Warriors Ins
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
- Jason Salalilo
- Luke Metcalf
- Makaia Tafua
Sharks Ins
- Jesse Ramien
- Sione Katoa
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Warriors Outs
- James Fisher-Harris
- Leka Halasima
- Luke Hanson
- Sam Healey
Sharks Ins
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Briton Nikora
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won four of their past six games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have won four of their last five games at Go Media stadium.
- Warriors right winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 12 tries in his last eight games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored nine tries in his last nine games against the Warriors.
- Warriors left winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored nine tries in his last six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
