The New Zealand Warriors put their slim finals hopes on the line as they do battle with a Gold Coast Titans side playing for pride. Join The Roar from 2:00pm AEST today for live coverage of this Round 25 fixture.
Under coach Andrew McFadden the Warriors have combined their creative flair with intelligent structure, but they seem to have lost the confidence that made them so dangerous.
Injury has hit the New Zealanders hard but they are a proud side and will want to finish their season as high up the ladder as possible.
The Warriors have made several changes to the side that was thrashed by the Roosters last weekend.
Dominique Peyroux and Sam Rapira return to the squad, with Ngani Laumape shifting to the wing. Sione Lousi has been named to start at lock and Sebastine Ikahihifo comes in on the interchange bench. David Fusitua (shoulder) and Feleti Mateo have both been omitted from the side.
Titans coach Neil Henry will be looking for a much-improved performance after his charges were thrashed by the Dragons last start.
He has named an unchanged squad and while there is one welcome inclusion to the team, with David Mead a possible chance to return from injury on an extended bench, it has been tempered with the loss of other key men to injuries.
Nate Myles is out for three months after undergoing surgery and David Taylor is still at least another week from returning.
One of the topics that always generates debate among fans is who is the fastest player in the game.
Two of the quickest are on show in this match, with Shaun Johnson and James Roberts both playing – if either of those two make a clean break it would make for a very interesting foot race.
Prediction
The Warriors have an incredibly strong record against the Titans, having not lost to the Gold Coast side since 2010, but those matches haven’t been high-scoring affairs.
That pattern could very well change this weekend as a big win would help keep the Warriors in touch with the top eight, while a loss could very well spell the end of their finals hopes for season 2014.
Despite the Warriors frustrating their fans with their inconsistent performances in recent weeks, they have more than enough firepower to get the job done against the Titans.
Kris
Guest
Got nothing to do with what i said.
Scrubbit
Guest
Depends on which team I was coaching. If I had storm, roosters, souths I agree, but if I had Manly, cowbies, dogs, or panthers I'd rather play worries.
WQ
Guest
I am not sure who the biggest Grub in Rugby League is, Josh Reynolds, Paul Gallen or Greg Bird?
Squirrel
Guest
Broncos or warriors for 8th
Dooggy
Guest
Warriors are historically a Jekyll and Hyde blue print. They have not changed.
Clark
Guest
I reckon Melbourne will bounce back in a big way next week.
Clark
Guest
Broncos are done.
Scrubbit
Guest
Not looking good for the Eels. Need two teams to lose (albeit those two teams are playing quality opponents away from home) and have to beat sticky fingers in canberra (not an easy win despite raiders position on the ladder.) In my mind I think it'll be worries and storm/Brisbane (most likely storm) to round out the top 8 with cowbies to cement their position tomorrow, and dogs to beat titans next week.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
The Warriors won the match today on the back of a very impressive team performance. The forwards worked hard for each other and made easy metres virtually every set. They were aided by a bumper effort from Manu Vatuvei who ran for 200 metres in attack. The halves Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai controlled the match expertly, with Johnson notching 18 points for the match with 7 conversions and a try. Sam Tomkinshad a field day notching two tries and almost getting a hat trick. The Titans will be disappointed with their efforts, but showed some good offloading ability and chanced their arm late in the match. They will be keen to finish their campaign on a high next weekend. Thanks for joining The Roar this afternoon, enjoy the rest of your day.
Trenno
Guest
Good luck with Henry if you get him, as a Cowboys supporter I couldn't wait to see him go. He would pick players on reputation instead of form and we ended up losing quality players to other teams because they weren't getting a run. Yes the Titans lead the comp at the start of the season, under Cartwright. He's now stepped aside. It's not injury that is stopping Mortimer from making tackles, it's attitude which is funny because with Kelly to comeback next year he should the most focused of the lot. Henry is a great assistant coach, one of the best; just not up to taking the next step as the results are showing (the was the first time in the Titans history they have been held to nil)
Renegade
Guest
Lol well in that case, that's exactly what I've been saying this whole thread... they still have to win next week was my original comment haha. You guys were arguing the 50+ win gives them insurance in case they lose?! But you're right on one thing - next week is going to be fantastic... I'm excited and my team isn't even there lol
jamesb
Guest
Live table- from fifth place onwards, Storm 30 (66) Bulldogs 30 (8) Cowboys 28 (175)* Broncos 28 (103) Warriors 28 (96) Eels 28 (-90) () F/A Cowboys v Sharks tomorrow night. Next week: Storm v Broncos Raiders v Eels Cowboys v Sea Eagles Panthers v Warriors Titans v Bulldogs
Renegade
Guest
If I was the coach of a finals team - I'd rather play the broncos than the warriors.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
For their part the Titans will host the Bulldogs to end their 2014 campaign.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
While the Warriors couldn't nab eighth spot off Brisbane with a 50 point win today, they still have it all to play for next week. It sets the scene for a huge match against the Panthers.
Zee
Roar Guru
Thats assuming they both lose.. fair enough Im assuming they all win... thats another story. Either way... Endless possibilities to come out of next week.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
That's the end of an entertaining game of rugby league. The Warriors scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half, appearing to have picked up where they loft off but a controversial no-try to fullback Sam Tomkins killed their momentum. Had that try been given the flood gates could well have opened as strange as that is to say for a side already leading by 40! Tensions arose in a fiery contest between Greg Bird and Ngani Laumape which sparked the Titans to life who controlled the match for the final third. The result is the first time that the Titans have been held to nil in their history.
Zee
Roar Guru
Geez next week is going to be JUICY !! Everyone bar the top 4 are safely secured for the finals !!
Renegade
Guest
What? I'll explain it. All three are on 28 at the moment. If Brisbane and warriors both lose they stay on 28. If Parramatta win, they go to 30. Considering they are playing the raiders - they probably will. So having a differential of +200 won't matter if they lose next week. It is going to be one hell of a final round!!
Kris
Guest
Well the Broncos won so obviously they are better