Sea Eagles v Warriors: Aloiai set to return; Johnson gets green light
Manly's barnstorming second half in Canberra lifted them from seventh to sixth on the ladder and gave their for-and-against a hefty boost in the process.
Given that the Sea Eagles are on 29 with the odd point from a draw against the Warriors in Round 6, that for-and-against is unlikely to be a factor but banging on five tries in 18 minutes provided a huge confidence boost.
The Warriors also kept the scoreboard ticking over with four tries in 17 minutes on Sunday at Suncorp but they came up empty in a golden point heartbreaker against the Dolphins and now sit 14th on the ladder.
A horror run with injuries continued for the Warriors with Shaun Johnson a late withdrawal due to a quadricep injury but the veteran playmaker is expected to be available this weekend.
With only three games remaining before a Round 27 bye the Warriors will be out to finish on a high note and give Johnson a fitting send-off as he retires after a glittering 14-year career.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Warriors
Team News
Sea Eagles: Prop Josh Aloiai is back from a knee injury so Nathan Brown shifts to the bench and Toafofoa Sipley drops out in the only change to the side that ran away from the Raiders in the second half last weekend. Tolu Koula is listed as 18th man as he looks to return from a knee injury.
Warriors: Halfback Shaun Johnson returns after missing the Dolphins game due to a quad strain while centre Adam Pompey (knee) and winger Marcelo Montoya (groin) are also back on deck. Ali Leiataua has entered the concussion protocols while Te Maire Martin is out indefinitely with an ongoing neck complaint. Playmaker Luke Metcalf is part of the extended squad as he chases a first NRL appearance since Round 4, having returned from a broken leg via NSW Cup in recent weeks.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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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 Tommy TalauCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh AloiaiProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Gordon Chan Kum TongInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ben TrbojevicInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan BrownInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Demitric Sifakula
Reserves
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Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Tolutau KoulaReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Leka Halasima
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Toafofoa SipleyReserve for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Corey WaddellReserve for Warriors is number 21 Luke Metcalf
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Jamie HumphreysReserve for Warriors is number 22 Edward Kosi
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Clayton FaulaloReserve for Warriors is number 23 Bunty Afoa
Sea Eagles Ins
- Corey Waddell
- Jamie Humphreys
- Josh Aloiai
- Tolutau Koula
Warriors Ins
- Adam Pompey
- Bunty Afoa
- Leka Halasima
- Luke Metcalf
- Marcelo Montoya
- Shaun Johnson
Sea Eagles Outs
Warriors Ins
- Ali Leiataua
- Te Maire Martin
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won eight of their past nine games at 4 Pines Park.
- The Warriors have won only one of their past five games at 4 Pines Park.
- Manly centre Tommy Talau has scored 10 tries in his past nine games.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored five tries in his past two games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored eight tries in four games against the Warriors.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 24 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
