Sea Eagles v Warriors: Foran to steer ship; Egan, Sironen return
Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and champion fullback Tom Trbojevic are missing but 4 Pines Park has proved a fortress in 2022 and the Manly faithful are sure to be out in force again.
Des Hasler's men are three from three at their spiritual home having taken care of the Bulldogs, Titans and Wests Tigers but this may be their toughest test with DCE in Maroons camp, Turbo gone for the season and the Warriors unaffacted by Origin commitments.
The home win against the Tigers in round nine has been followed by losses to the Broncos, Eels and Storm - the first time since the opening month of the 2021 season that Manly have lost three straight.
The Warriors also find themselves in a slump having dropped four on the trot and they are crying out for big guns Shaun Johnson and Reece Walsh to put their stamp on the game and produce some magic in enemy territory.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sea Eagles v Warriors
The Rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: The absence of Daly Cherry-Evans on Origin duty is offset by the return of Martin Taupau (quad), Jason Saab (toe) and Karl Lawton (suspension). Saab will play his first game since round eight, taking over from Jorge Taufua on the wing, while Lawton and Taupau are on the bench.
A shuffle at the scrumbase sees Kieran Foran slide to halfback and Josh Schuster moved to five-eighth in DCE's absence. Dylan Walker has been named on the bench despite suffering a knee injury against the Storm. Jake Trbojevic takes over as captain.
Saab (toe) was confirmed to make his return when the team was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off, with the Sea Eagles to start 1-17 as named on Tuesday. Taniela Paseka (knee) won't be a late inclusion after he was omitted from the 19-man squad named 24 hours before kick-off.
Warriors: Hooker Wayde Egan (calf) and back-rower Bayley Sironen (osteitis pubis) return in a boost for the Warriors as they look to avoid a fifth loss on the trot. Egan takes over at hooker from Freddy Lussick, while Sironen joins the bench at the expense of Dunamis Lui, who is 18th man. The only change when the side was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off was a positional switch in which captain Tohu Harris moves to lock and Jack Murchie to the second-row.
Rocco Berry comes in for injured centre Viliami Vailea (broken jaw).
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 13 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben GarrickFullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Morgan HarperCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua SchusterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Kieran ForanHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Warriors is number 8 Ben Murdoch-Masila
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa SipleyProp for Warriors is number 10 Jazz Tevaga
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Taniela Otukolo
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl LawtonInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin TaupauInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Aaron Pene
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Sean KeppieInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 20 Kurt De LuisReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Dunamis Lui
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Reuben Garrick v Reece Walsh: The ever reliable Garrick ran for 220 metres and had four tackle breaks against the Storm in yet another reminder of his value to the Sea Eagles in Turbo's absence. A prolific tryscorer (50) and pointscorer (714) in his 82 career games, Garrick goes about his job with a minimum of fuss and fanfare. In stark contrast, Walsh is constantly in the spotlight, expected to come up with miracle plays and highlight reel moments every week. After scoring nine tries in 16 games in his debut season the 19-year-old is yet to find the stripe in 2022 but a breakout game could be just around the corner.
Stat Attack
The Sea Eagles and Warriors sit 13th and 16th in the NRL for tackle breaks after 12 rounds. Haumole Olakau'atu is Manly's best with 41 tackle breaks in their total of 342 while fullback Reece Walsh's 49 is the clear standout in the Warriors' tally of 295, the lowest in the competition.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 13 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
away Team
Warriors
12th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
