Lofty expectations accompany the Warriors into the new season, while the Sharks go again after another disappointing finals fade out in 2023.
Andrew Webster's side are the hottest sporting ticket in town right now following last year's run to the preliminary finals and as a result Go Media Stadium will likely be packed to the rafters for their season-opener against Craig Fitzgibbon's men.
Both teams had a win and a loss in the Pre-Season Challenge and their most recent hit-outs left plenty of room for improvement, with the Warriors guilty of some big defensive lapses in a 34-22 win over the Dolphins and the Sharks' attack struggling to fire without the injured Nicho Hynes in a 12-6 win against the Bulldogs.
The Warriors won both clashes against Cronulla last year, including a dramatic comeback victory in Round 5 which was recently voted New Zealand's sporting moment of the year.
Last season's loss in Auckland was the first time in four games that the Sharks left Go Media Stadium without the two competition points and all up they've won in nine of 20 trips there.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Sharks
Team News
Warriors: No game day changes with the Warriors lining up as named. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) won't be risked so Taine Tuaupiki lines up at fullback for his sixth NRL appearance. Luke Metcalf gets the nod at five-eighth with Te Maire Martin in the reserves. Marata Niukore is sidelined with a minor foot fracture. Adam Pompey is 18th man.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Nicho Hynes (quad) is right to go along with Dale Finucane (calf). Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is at least another week away so Oregon Kaufusi comes into the starting side. Bench forward Jack Williams plays his 100th NRL game. Kayal Iro is 18th man and Tuku Hau Tapuha was the last man omitted on game day.
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Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won their past five games at Go Media Stadium.
- The Sharks have lost their opening round game in nine of the past 10 seasons.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 24 tries in his past 19 NRL games.
- Sharks forward Jack Williams will make his 100th NRL appearance in the match.
- The Warriors scored 76 points in home and away wins against the Sharks in 2023.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.