New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores, blog

Roar Guru

5th May, 2018

1273 Reads

  When: 5:30PM (AEST)  
Where: Mt Smart Stadium 
TV: Live, Fox League 
Betting: Warriors $1.56, Tigers $2.50  

Warriors
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitu'a, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Bunty Afoa, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Simon Mannering, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair, 14 Karl Lawton, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Isaiah Papalii, 20 James Gavet, 18 Anthony Gelling, 20 Mason Lino, 21 Albert Vete, 22 Sam Cook

 Tigers
1 Corey Thompson, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Mahe Fonua, 6 Benji Marshall (c), 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Matthew Eisenhuth, 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor, 14 Alex Twal, 15 Josh Aloiai, 16 Michael Chee-Kam, 17 Sauaso Sue, 18 Tim Grant, 19 Matt McIlwrick, 20 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 21 Tyson Gamble

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Blake Green (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Curtis Figon

Roar Guru

5th May, 2018

1273 Reads

Match result:

The New Zealand Warriors have suffered another injury setback with Shaun Johnson going down injured as they beat the Wests Tigers by 22 points.

Final score:
Warriors 26
Tigers 4

» Read the full match report

Match preview:

Two of the more exciting teams in the NRL face each other and aim to return to the winners’ podium as the New Zealand Warriors host the Wests Tigers. Join The Roar for a live blog from 5:30pm (AEST).

Two weeks ago in Auckland, the Warriors faced the Dragons and completely dominated the league leaders. It was a performance that made many footy fans stand up and take notice, realising that the Kiwis are the real deal and not the team of old.

Then last week, on Anzac Day, a powerful slap in the face was delivered, as well as a reminder that the Melbourne Storm are still a force to be reckoned with.

The reigning premiers put 50 points on the Warriors, making Stephen Kearney’s side look like pretenders rather than contenders.

They welcome back three big stars to their run-on-side: Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Solomone Kate, while Issac Luke will play despite suffering an injury scare last week to his knee.

As a result, Isaiah Papali’i shifts to the bench, while Anthony Gelling and Mason Lino have been dropped out of the 17. Reserve hooker Karl Lawton has been named on the interchange, aiming to make his debut for the club, with James Gavet joining him.

This encounter against the Tigers is an opportunity to show their character and resilience, especially after such a promising start to the year.

Their opponents have also made a lot of noise so far this season. The Tigers are coming off consecutive losses, alarm bells are nowhere close to ringing, with all three losses this season having been by two-point deficits.

What is important for Ivan Cleary is getting a win.

They welcome back lock Elijah Taylor, which sees Matt Eisenhuth to prop and Sauaso Sue to the interchange bench. Alex Twal also returns to the side, moving Tim Grant out altogether.

Prediction
It’s in Auckland so I’m going to tip the Warriors, despite losing three of the last four encounters against the Tigers.

Warriors by 4.

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