NRL 2023, Wests Tigers, New Zealand Warriors, round 24 match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 12 Aug 2023, 04:31 PM

Wests Tigers are the 'home' team in Hamilton on Saturday but it's the red-hot Warriors who will have the crowd in their corner as they surge towards a top-four finish.

The Warriors sit third after getting the job done against the Titans and with their remaining four matches against sides outside the top eight they are in the box seat for a double chance in September.

With Shaun Johnson in supreme form and Addin Fonua-Blake controlling the middle, the Warriors have chalked up 13 wins and to set up their first finals appearance since 2018.

For Wests Tigers, there is still a remote chance they can escape the wooden spoon if they can grab a couple of wins in the run home and the Dragons lose all four of their matches.

At the very least their long-suffering fans will hope they can keep producing the sort of effort they displayed in Canberra on Sunday when they pushed the Raiders to the limit before going down 22-18.

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Team news

Wests Tigers: There are no changes for the home side. Forwards Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore return from concussion in a boost for Wests Tigers, but Charlie Staines is out with a hamstring injury so Junior Tupou shifts to the wing and Asu Kepaoa comes into the centres. Alex Twal goes back to the bench to accommodate Utoikamanu's return.

Warriors: The visitors are also unchanged. Taine Tuaupiki will play his fourth game of the season, taking over at fullback from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) in the only change to the squad that downed the Titans last week. Freddy Lussick will be 18th man.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 12 Aug

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Shawn Blore

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Josh Curran

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin Matamua

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Freddy Lussick

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:41 AM

Stat Attack

Wests Tigers have come up with 240 offloads this season, second only to the Eels with 283.
Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake averages 170 run metres per game this season and 64.4 post-contact metres per match.
Wests Tigers have been outscored 48-6 in their past two games in New Zealand.
The Warriors have won their past five games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has scored eight tries in 12 games against the Warriors.
The Warriors will play their 700th game since entering the competition in 1995.
Wests Tigers have conceded 40 tries in their past six games.