TWL Rd 19 Preview: Wary Warriors to square season ledger against tumbling Tigers
After some tight recent losses, the Warriors get an ideal opportunity to regain their footing against a Tigers outfit whose campaign is rapid unravelling.
WARRIORS V TIGERS - 10PM (NZT)/8PM (AEST) FRIDAY, JULY 10 @ CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS GROUND, SYDNEY
The Storylines
The Warriors have occupied second spot on the ladder since Round 7, but three two-point losses in their last four games has ramped up the pressure ahead of this Sydney road trip — the first of four straight fixtures against teams outside the Top 8.
As some nagging shortcomings came home to roost, the Warriors’ struggles in the clutch moments and the enigmatic nature of their centres came home to roost in a 26-24 loss to the Dolphins in Round 17 prior to their last bye.
Injuries and Origin continue to hit hard for the Warriors, but there’s a timely boost from the casualty ward this week with James Fisher-Harris, Leka Halasima and Alofiana Khan-Pereira all returning to slot in for an unavailable trio.
But a top-two finish and home qualifying final is there for the taking if the Warriors can knuckle down and make hay during a soft section of the draw.
The wheels have fallen off Wests Tigers campaign in dramatic fashion. After starting the season 5-2 — including an emphatic 32-14 upset of the Warriors in Auckland — they have won just two of their last nine games.
The spiral has been highlighted by an embarrassing 68-0 loss to Penrith in Round 14 and culminated in an insipid 24-10 defeat to last-placed St George Illawarra last week.
Making matters worse, dummy-half linchpin Api Koroisau joined the injured list, while news broke on Thursday that the Tigers have reportedly told high-priced half Jarome Luai (back this week from concussion) that he is free to leave at the end of this season ahead of his 2028 move to PNG Chief.
Sitting 12th on the table and four points adrift of the Top 8, it’s now or never for Benji Marshall’s side.
Ins and Outs
Jarome Luai (concussion) is back for the Tigers at Jock Madden’s expense, while rookie Josese Lanyon replaces Api Koroisau at hooker — though 19-year-old potential debutant is said to be a chance of coming in. Samuela Fainu returns from a foot injury in the second-row.
Bunty Afoa will line up in the front-row for the club he played 145 NRL games for over the previous decade.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira, James Fisher-Harris and Leka Halasima return for the injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, and the Warriors’ Origin duo Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell, who were both named in the reserves but dropped off the squad list 24 hours out.
Luke Metcalf and Makaia Tafua were the initial names on the Warriors’ six-man bench, but ex-Tigers outside back Luke Laulilii has replaced Tafua, while Morgan Gannon was a surprise choice to come in as 20th man.
The History
Overall record: Played 40 – Warriors won 23, Wests Tigers won 17; Warriors scored 869 points, Wests Tigers scored 875 points.
Biggest wins: Wests Tigers – 50-4 at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 2004; Warriors – 42-18 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 2014.
Longest winning streaks: Warriors – 9 matches (2020-25); Wests Tigers – 4 matches (twice – 2000-01 and 2015-17).
Finals: Played 1 – Warriors won 1.
Most appearances: Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 18; Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers) – 15; Ben Matulino (Warriors and Tigers) – 15; Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers) – 14; Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers) – 14; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 14; Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers) – 13; Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers) – 13; David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers) – 13; Lance Hohaia (Warriors) – 12; John Skandalis (Wests Tigers) – 12; Alex Twal (Wests Tigers) – 12.
Most tries: David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers) – 8; Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers) – 7; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 7; Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers) – 7; David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers) – 7; Clinton Toopi (Warriors) – 7; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 7; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 6; Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers) – 6.
Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 74; Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers) – 58; Brett Hodgson (Wests Tigers) – 48; Pat Richards (Wests Tigers) – 42; David Nofoaluma David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers) – 32; Lance Hohaia (Warriors) – 30; Tuimoala Lolohea (Warriors and Wests Tigers) – 30; Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers) – 30.
THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V TIGERS
Historically regarded as two of the most unpredictable, occasionally exciting and overall underachieving sides in the NRL, the 26-season rivalry between the Warriors and Wests Tigers has been marked by high-scoring try-fests and extraordinary comebacks. But the Warriors have dominated in recent years to take a commanding overall lead and edge to their best winning record against any current NRL side.
The Stats
The Warriors have won nine of their last 10 against the Tigers, though the joint venture snapped a long losing run with an upset in Auckland earlier this year.
After losing four straight at Campbelltown — conceding 34-plus points in each — the Warriors have won their last two at the venue (both by margins of four or less).
Neither team has scored more than 34 points in the past 13 Tigers-Warriors clashes, with only three of those matches producing a total of more than 48 points.
The Warriors are looking to avoid three straight losses in Australia for the first time since 2024.
The Tigers have won only one of their last eight games at Campbelltown.
The Tigers have conceded 24-plus in seven of their last nine games; the Warriors have conceded more than 20 in just one of their last 10 games.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has scored five tries in seven career games against the Tigers.
The Tigers are one of only two teams Alofiana Khan-Pereira has not scored a try against, coming up empty in three appearances.
After starting his career 6-1 against the Warriors, Jarome Luai has lost his last three games against them.
5 Key Match-ups
Taine Tuaupiki vs Jahream Bula: Tuaupiki’s consistency has been as impressive as his increasing game-breaking impact, making seven line-breaks in his last eight games and rarely putting in a subpar showing. Bula is a vital cog for the Tigers and has given the Warriors headaches in the past; he boasts six tries and six try assists in 13 games this year.
Ali Leiataua vs Starford To’a: Leiataua has come up with at least three shocking defensive decisions that have result in opposition tries in the Warriors’ past five games — and the gifted centre isn’t producing enough on the attacking side on the ball to justify those shortcomings. To’a hasn’t hit the heights of 2025 in an injury-interrupted season but can be a handful.
Chanel Harris-Tavita vs Jarome Luai: The rival No.6s have arguably been down on their best of late — though Luai is the one under far more scrutiny, particularly after recent reports the Tigers are looking to move him on a year early. CHT hasn’t been poor but is not having the same influence as when he was paired with Tanah Boyd.
James Fisher-Harris vs Terrell May: JFH’s week-to-week form pre-injury was outstanding and he’ll be eager to pick up where he left off, particularly with Mitch Barnett likely to sit this one out. May is the marquee man of the Tigers pack and needs to lead the way for the hosts.
Leka Halasima & Jacob Laban vs Samuela & Sione Fainu: The four second-rowers on show on Friday are all 25 or younger and dripping with ability. Laban is a contender as the Warriors’ best player over the past month and is coming into his own — overshadowing even Halasima, who went through a patchy run of form prior to his injury. The Fainu brothers are similarly gifted and explosive, while they get to start in the second-row together for the first time this season.
Last time they met
The unbeaten Warriors appeared on track for a convincing home win over the Tigers in Round 4 of the 2026 season, racing to a 10-0 lead.
But with Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi nearly untouchable, the visitors rallied to carve out a stirring 32-14 victory.
Why the Wahs Will Win: The Tigers have been in dreadful form — wooden spoon material — while the Warriors’ recent losses were by the narrowest of margins to quality teams. The visitors’ forward pack should have little trouble steamrolling the Tigers, laying the platform for Te Maire Martin, Wayde Egan and Taine Tuaupiki to build on their recent stacked highlight reels.
Why the Wahs Will Lose: The Warriors are relying on a few injured players to hit the ground running, while some defensive cracks have opened up in recent weeks. Meanwhile, beware the wounded Tigers. Their spine contains three game-breakers who have all made life difficult for the Warriors at different stages and there’s no shortage of strike on their edges.
The Punt: Head to Head — Warriors $1.33, Panthers $3.35; Line — Warriors -9.5; Total Points Line — Over/Under 45.5 Points
Best Anytime Tyrscorer Options — Taine Tuaupiki ($2.70); Adam Doueihi ($3.45); Starford To’a ($3.60); Leka Halasima ($3.80); Jacob Laban ($3.90).
The Verdict: Anything like the Warriors’ best this season — even what they’ve produced in losing efforts recently — should be far too much for an unravelling Tigers outfit. There will be no illusions in the Warriors camp about the importance of getting the two points here, or how difficult it will be if they’re not switched on from the opening whistle. This is where Webster’s charges have to start declaring they have every intention of being there on grand final day. Warriors by 16