Super Saturday: Warriors v Sharks; Eels v Raiders
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Our Saturday double kicks off in Auckland with the Warriors back at Go Media Stadium for the first time since Round 7 and looking to deliver a big win for the faithful.
Since that win over the Titans in April, Andrew Webster's men have played three times in Sydney as well as Wellington and Brisbane so a return to the home patch is sure to have them buzzing.
The Wahs come up against a Sharks outfit that has piled on 100 points in consecutive wins over the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and Dragons, climbing from 10th on the ladder to sixth in the process.
From Auckland we head to Sydney's west for the showdown between the Eels and Raiders, both coming off losses and both missing a key playmaker to Origin duty.
The Eels have shown plenty of ticker in recent weeks without Mitch Moses and a host of other injured stars while the Raiders will turn to Daine Laurie and Ethan Sanders to steer the ship in the absence of Ethan Strange.
Follow all the action from Round 15 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Warriors v Sharks at Go Media Stadium
Match: Warriors v Sharks
Round 15 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Warriors v Sharks: Round 15
40 min: The first half ended with both teams trading a series of heavy hits as they tried to gain ascendency over each other but the scores remained at 8-6 in favour of the Sharks.
33 min: The Warriors have gained the momentum since Demitric Vaimauga came off the bench and an attempted tackle on the Tongan forward by Jesse Colqhoon has resulted in a blow for the Sharks after the workhorse backrower was forced from the field for a HIA.
29 min: Martin has made amends by stepping his way through the Sharks defence to score from 10m out. Centre Adam Pompey converted. Sharks 8 Warriors 6.
Te Maire Martin Try
26 min: The Warriors have finally been made to pay for repeat errors in the slippery conditions, with Jesse Ramien scoring after Te Maire Martin put down an awkward pass. Trindall converted. Sharks 8 Warriors 0.
Jesse Ramien Try
22 min: Another shot clock penalty against the Warriors after they failed to pack a scrum in time.
20 min: Sharks captain Cameron McInnes is on report for a high shot on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
18 min: Warriors prop Tanner Stowers-Smith has been penalised from a shoulder charge on Toby Rudolf after the Sharks frontrower returned the kick-off.
17 min: Another goal line drop out and the Warriors have been penalised for failing to take the kick before the shot clock expired. Trindall kicked a penalty goal from in front of the posts. Sharks 2 Warriors 0.
Buzzer beats the Warriors
11 min: Ronaldo Mulitalo raced into the clear after a loose pass from Erin Clark but he was called back as the ball was knocked down by KL Iro.
9 min: A play the ball error let the Warriors off the hook and they are now in an attacking position for the first time in the match after a forward pass from Puru.
7 min: The Sharks force another repeat set after Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki was tackled in goal after a long Trindall behind the defence.
Tuaupiki covers Trindall chip
4 min: Another attempt to force a repeat set fell short after a grubber from dummy half Hohepa Puru was fielded in the field of play.
3 min: Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindal has forced a goal line drop out with a well weighted grubber into the Warriors in-goal.
Kick off: The Sharks have kicked off, with Jackson Ford met by a wall of defenders after taking the opening hit up of the game.
Defence crucial for Fitzgibbon in Warriors clash
Late Mail
Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been added to the six-man bench to make his return from a neck injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 7. The Warriors have suffered a big blow with James Fisher-Harris ruled out due to a calf injury, while Leka Halasima remains at least another week away as he battles a hamstring injury. Tanner Stowers-Smith is set to start at prop, while Marata Niukore will line up in the back row. Makaia Tafua is in the frame for an NRL debut off the bench after Sam Healey suffered a fractured thumb.
Webster makes a grand entrance on Sky Sport
Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien will return from a knee injury that forced him out of last week's win over the Dragons. Sione Katoa also return on the wing. Nicho Hynes remains sidelined with a calf injury, while the absence of Origin duo Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora will see Jesse Colquhoun and Billy Burns come into the starting side.
Trindall ready for Warriors challenge
Numbers Game
- The Warriors have won four of their past six games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have won four of their last five games at Go Media stadium.
- Warriors right winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 12 tries in his last eight games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored nine tries in his last nine games against the Warriors.
- Warriors left winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored nine tries in his last six games.
Eels v Raiders at CommBank Stadium
Match: Eels v Raiders
Round 15 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Raiders
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Eels v Raiders: Round 15
Late Mail
Numbers Game
- The Eels have won their last three games against the Raiders at Parramatta.
- The Raiders have won their last four games against the Eels.
- The Eels have won only one of their last five games at CommBank Stadium.
- Raiders captain Joseph Tapine will make his 250th NRL appearance.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 12 tries in his last 10 games at CommBank Stadium.
