2021 NRL – New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers taking place? Friday 21st May, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers taking place? Central Coast Stadium, Central Coast
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Montoya, Pompey, Aitken, Maumalo, Nikorima, Harris-Tavita, Taunoa-Brown, Egan, Evans, Murchie, Murdoch-Masila, Harris – Interchanges: Tevaga, Ah Mau, Afoa, Walsh – Reserves: Katoa, Otukolo, Kosi, O’Sullivan
Unavailable: Addin Fonua-Blake (Injured), Peta Hiku (Injured), Paul Turner (Injured), David Fusitu’a (Injured), Tom Ale (Injured), Rocco Berry (Injured), Josh Curran (Injured), Bayley Sironen (Injured)
- New Zealand Warriors made it back-to-back defeats as they went down to Parramatta Eels last week and they will be desperate to get back on track here against Wests Tigers in a game they will feel they should be winning if they are to be serious top eight contenders.
- The Warriors need to show improvements defensively after allowing 34 points against the Eels which came on the back of allowing 38 against Manly Sea Eagles in their previous outing and that is now at least 20 points conceded in each of their last four games.
WESTS TIGERS
Starting 13: Laurie, Nofoaluma, Doueihi, J. Leilua, Talau, Mbye, Brooks, Tamou, Liddle, Twal, Garner, L. Leilua, Ofahengaue – Interchanges: Madden, Blore, Seyfarth, Mikaele – Reserves: Chee-Kam, Simpkin, Utoikamanu, Amone
Unavailable: Russell Packer (Injured), Asu Kepaoa (Injured), James Roberts (Injured)
- Wests Tigers made it two wins in their last three games thanks to a superb performance against Newcastle Knights in last week’s Magic Round and they will be hoping they can build on that having struggled for consistency all year.
- Wests raced into an 18-0 lead and were comfortable victors despite conceding two late tries and Michael Maguire will be looking to Luke Brooks and Moses Mbye to pull the strings in the halves once again after a solid outing against the Knights.
THE PREDICTION
New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers both have aspirations of finishing in the finals but the pair need to show greater consistency having failed to win back-to-back matches at any point this season. Wests have the chance to achieve that feat in this contest as they look to back-up last week’s success against Newcastle Knights but the Warriors will have other ideas as they look to get back to winning ways. The pair have struggled defensively for much of the campaign and with both fancying their chances here, this should be an open contest which produces over 47.5 points.
