Both the West Tigers and New Zealand Warriors will be looking to extend their winning runs when they clash on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.45pm AEST.
The West Tigers have been on one hell of rollercoaster ride to begin the season. The pre-season competition favourites have proved the bookies wrong so far this season and have struggled for any constintency.
Who would have thought at the conclusion of round six, the Tigers would only have had one win on the board?
Since round six a three-match winning run has certainly helped matters, but their form still suggests they will struggle to compete against the better sides in the competition.
Gold Coast, Parramatta and Penrith are three teams that most sides won’t have too much trouble with this season but the fact that the Tigers beat both Gold Coast and Parramatta by only one point proves plenty of work is required if they are to live up to their pre-season favourites tag.
A win against the New Zealand Warriors will prove some doubters wrong but they will have to do it without their skipper and creative lynchpin, Robbie Farah, who is on Origin duty.
Tom Humble, who has played at fullback and five-eighth this season, will take over from Farah’s dummy half responsibilities with hooker Pat Politini added to the bench to share the hooking duties with Humble.
Similiarly like the West Tigers, the New Zealand Warriors have not yet shown the promise to that of what was expected by many this season.
Their recent performances against the Sydney Roosters and especially the Brisbane Broncos have shown glimpses to suggest they are close to fulfilling their potential, but consistency remains the key problem considering their struggles away from Mt Smart Stadium.
If the likes of Russell Packer and Ben Matulino can lay a strong platform, the big bopping forward pack of the Warriors should overpower the rather lightweight Tigers pack.
Unlike the Tigers, the Warriors have no players selected for Origin and will be looking at this game as a great chance to bag two points against a side missing one of their most pivotal players.
Will the big pack of the Warriors muscle their way to victory of will the Tigers put on a show for the Leichhardt faithful? Join us from 7.45pm AEST for live score updates and commentary on our blog and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you are watching.
jamesb
Guest
Aaron Woods just keeps getting better and better.
Worlds biggest
Guest
Great second half by the Tigers, easily there best performance of the year, Leichardt oval is again a fortress. I can't remember the last FNG at Leichardt but it was awesome to watch. Warriors weren't far off however there defence up the middle was soft at times. Cracking game alround. Aaron Woods looks a future Origin player while Galloway IMO should be in the Blues squad now. These two lead from the front. The Tigers need to figure out how to use Adam Blair, lot's of one off hit ups but he needs to be running off benji or Lawrence. He is an effective wide running player but have not seen that this year yet. Great win Tigers.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
FULL TIME WEST TIGERS 24 - WARRIORS 22 The New Zealand Warriors will feel like they gave away 2 points tonight after coming in at halftime with a comfortable 10 point lead. They seem to have switched off after halftime and the Tiger's took full advantage scoring 4 converted tries in the second half. Interestingly when five-eighth Chris Lawrence came off injured at halftime, the Tigers looked much more menacing attacking wise. The Tigers have now won 4 in a row while the Warriors will be looking to bounce back against the Melbourne Storm next week. Thank you Roarers for joining us in what has been an entertaining match. Have a good night.
Sylvester
Guest
Tigers defence was excellent. Warriors, well, "excellent" and "defence" just aren't used in the same sentence. The roller-coaster continues...
Villa_B
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL AND FULL TIME WEST TIGERS 24 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 22
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Roar Guru
Warriors Try- The Warriors put up a short kick-off that is battered back by them. They then spread the ball down their right edge with the ball eventually finding Konrad Hurrell who beats a few Tiger players before going over. Tigers 24 Warriors 20
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Roar Guru
TRY WARRIORS WEST TIGERS 24 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 20 (HURRELL)
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Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL WEST TIGERS 24 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 16
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Roar Guru
78' From the resulting scrum the ball finds Tim Moltzen who runs across field before throwing a dummy and fooling everyone. Tigers 22 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
TRY TIGERS WEST TIGERS 22 (MOLTZEN) - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 16
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Roar Guru
76' Manu has done it again. Liam Fulton of all people puts a bomb up that Manu jumps high for unopposed. He loses it and the ball falls to Blake Ayshford who looks for all money to score. He somehow loses the ball but the Tigers will get the ball back after Manu knocked on first. Tigers 18 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
74' The Warriors are really pushing the Tigers here but to the Tigers credit they are defending superbly. Tigers 18 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
72' Geez, I talked up Matt Utai before. He comes to the Tigers rescue defusing a dangerous cross field kick by James Maloney. The tigers again march downfield. Tigers 18 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
70' Warriors turning up the heat herewith a nice grubber kick by Bill Tupou cleaned up by Tim Moltzen who cant escape the in-goal area. Tigers 18 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
68' The Warriors muscle their way upfield and 10m out from the Tigers line Shaun Johnson throws a cutout pass to Konrad Hurrell that just about reaches his feet. He bends over to grab the ball and knocks on. Tigers 18 Warriors 16.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
67' Shaun Johnson puts the ball up 30m out from the Tigers line but Tim Moltzen catches it beautifully and the Tigers work their way upfield. Tigers 18 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
66' The Tigers get through their first set after points with Benji kicking the ball over the dead ball line. Tigers 18 Warriors 16
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Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL WEST TIGERS 18 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 16
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Roar Guru
Tigers Try - The Warriors looked to have matched up well in defence and seem to have covered a short side play by the Tigers. The ball is spread to winger Matt Utai who slips before the line but isn't completely tackled before reaching over and placing the ball over the line. Tigers 16 Warriors 16
Villa_B
Roar Guru
TRY TIGERS WEST TIGERS 16 (UTAI) - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 16