New Zealand Warriors
22
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
2
| S. Johnson |  | 76 | ||
| J. Arthars |  | 74 | ||
| S. Johnson |  | 65 | ||
| 40 | | A. Doueihi | ||
| S. Johnson | | 34 | ||
| C. Harris-Tavita | | 32 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 30 | ||
| T. Harris | | 28 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 24 |
| 3 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The New Zealand Warriors make their long-awaited homecoming this afternoon as they take on the Wests Tigers at Mount Smart Stadium, with a big crowd expected to welcome them nearly three years since their last game in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm AEST.
Warriors’ interim coach Stacey Jones will be hoping the home crowd can inspire his troops because they’ve now lost seven games in a row since victory over Canberra at Redcliffe in round 8.
But it’s not like the Tigers are doing much better.
They sit 14th on the ladder, level on points with the 15th-placed Warriors, and have lost six of their last seven games, with Brett Kimmorley, like Jones, coaching the team in an interim capacity.
The Warriors have named Euan Aitken to start in the centres with Adam Pompey dropping out of the 17 and have recalled Eliesa Katoa to replace Dunamis Lui on the bench.
The Tigers welcome back former Origin centre James Roberts and promising young prop Stefano Utoikamanu. 20-year-old prop Fonua Pole, a product of Victorian junior league, has been named to make his NRL debut from the bench.
The last time these two teams met was in Round 3 when the Warriors beat the Tigers 16-12 at Campbelltown.
Fun and random stat of the day: the Warriors may be second last on the ladder but they’re second in the NRL for charge downs, behind only Parramatta. Could that make a difference today?
Prediction
Both teams are close to full strength and there’s hardly any difference between their respective form lines. The Warriors are a slightly better attacking team and the Tigers are better defenders.
There’s little cause to recommend either side but, barring a draw, somebody will prevail. I’ll tip a raucous crowd in Auckland to will the Warriors home, with a charge down leading to a decisive try for Bunty Afoa in his 100th NRL game.
Game information
Kick-off: 2:00pm AEST
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Warriors $1.65, Tigers $2.25 – odds via PlayUp
New Zealand
1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Euan Aitken 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jazz Tevaga 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris (c) 13. Josh Curran. 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Bayley Sironen 18. Adam Pompey 20. Aaron Pene 21. Rocco Berry 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Daejarn Asi
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. James Roberts 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Stefano Utoikamanu 15. Adam Doueihi 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole.
Coastyboi
Guest
Technically the Tigers did grab the TWO points!
Redcap
Roar Guru
I'm off to make Goulash and watch the Dragons. I hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday, especially if you're a Warriors supporter.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining The Roar for this afternoon's game and stick with us for St George Illawarra against Canberra at Wollongong in just a few minutes time.
Nat
Roar Guru
If you cannot laugh at a big man lifting his shirt for the camera you are dead inside. :stoked:
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
So good to hear our crowd pumping up the boy's
Redcap
Roar Guru
80’ Full time. The Warriors have won their first game back in Auckland and only the most ardent Tigers fan would begrudge them that. Johnson's kicking game in the second half was a big factor in turning the momentum of the game after the Tigers started well following the break. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's fearless charges and Marcelo Montoya's work under the high ball were features, while Bunty Afoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Josh Curran and Wayde Egan were strong in the middle. Wests Tigers………………….2 New Zealand Warriors….....22
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Good job Coach Jones.. arguably the greatest Warrior of all.
Tony
Roar Guru
Well done David
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done Warriors. Great for the fans to get that win.
Redcap
Roar Guru
80’ Johnson's dropout sails over the sideline on the full. One last chance for the Tigers. Ofahengaue grubbers for some reason and the Warriors clean up. Wests Tigers………………….2 New Zealand Warriors….....22
Tony
Roar Guru
Won't happen
76
Nat
Roar Guru
I hope the Walker boys don’t get this team. They had success in the QRL with a pretty special group of players suited for their style. This Tigers team isn’t that.
Redcap
Roar Guru
80’ Doueihi grubbers into the in-goal and Volkman grounds it. Another line dropout as we enter the final minute. Wests Tigers………………….2 New Zealand Warriors….....22
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Tigers forwards are so soft.
Redcap
Roar Guru
78’ The Tigers' short kick-off is again successful. Laurie's grubber is batted dead by Harris-Tavita. Line dropout. Wests Tigers………………….2 New Zealand Warriors….....22
Tony
Roar Guru
You need to get out more :happy:
Redcap
Roar Guru
77’ A third goose enters the arena. Sheesh. Wests Tigers………………….2 New Zealand Warriors….....22
Redcap
Roar Guru
77’ Johnson's conversion attempt from wide on the right side is successful much to the delight of the capacity crowd. Great scenes from Auckland. Wests Tigers………………….2 New Zealand Warriors….....22
Nat
Roar Guru
Lov’n the crowd participation. I’ve laughed out loud a few times. :laughing: