WARRIORS
After two disappointing losses to Brisbane and Manly, after being a position to win each game, the Warriors bounced back into the winner’s stall last week in emphatic style, defeating a disappointing Raiders outfit in Canberra, 54 – 18.

The Warriors ran in ten tries with the Raiders points all coming in the final four minutes of the game – after the Warriors had left the field to get to the hot showers!

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The win sees the Warriors hold onto eighth spot, level with Parramatta and the Cowboys but with each side short-priced favourites to win their respective games this weekend, the Warriors can ill-afford not to produce their best – which they often do at home.

They’ve won four of their five games at Mt. Smart this year, the only defeat coming against Manly (22 – 12) where they squandered opportunities.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, key play-maker Shaun Johnson is out along with centre Konrad Hurrell – who has crossed for five tries in the Warriors last five matches, also out with a hamstring injury.

SHARKS
The Sharks have been hammered by injuries all year and this week is no different.

Just when they get Captain Paul Gallen back at lock, along with forwards Chris Heighington and Tupou Sopoago, they lose integral forwards Paul Graham and Luke Lewis.

After a tough win over Penrith in round 20, the Sharks were given a strong chance to defeat Parramatta back at Remondis Stadium last week but yet another poor start, saw them behind 10 – nil after as many minutes.

As the Raiders will attest to, allowing the Warriors a similar start this week will make their task impossible.

The Sharks are playing to avoid the Wooden Spoon and rest assured, with Gallen driving the team around the park, they’ll be out to avoid it at cost.

HEAD TO HEAD
The Sharks boast a very good record over the Warriors, having not been defeated since five games since 2012.

Three of those victories have been by 13+ margins and two of them have been when the Sharks have visited Mt. Smart Stadium.

They are stats that can make you stop and think – particularly about the 13.5 start with Johnson and Hurrell out for the Warriors but, with their season on the line and their tails up from last week’s drumming of the Raiders, it’s impossible to go past the Warriors as winners of this one.

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Teams:

Warriors: Sam Tomkins, Tuimoala Lolohea, Ngani Laumape, Dane Nielsen, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Thomas Leuluai, Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Sione Lousi, Simon Mannering, Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino, Sam Rapira, Jayson Bukuya, Ben Henry

Ins: Jayson Bukuya, Ben Henry. Outs: Konrad Hurrell

Sharks: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, Fa’amanu Brown, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Michael Lichaa, Sam Tagataese, Chris Heighington, Tupou Sopoaga, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Pat Politoni, Junior Roqica, Tinirau Arona, Matt Prior, Tim Robinson

Ins: Sosaia Feki, Junior Roqica, Matt Prior, Tim Robinson. Outs: Jacob Gagan (hamstring, season), Luke Lewis (leg, season), Wade Graham (foot, season), Anthony Tupou