After two poor performances resulting in losses to the Eels (round 1) and the Dragons (round 2), not many gave hope to the Warriors who had to travel to Townsville last week to take on the Cowboys.
$250 New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers FREE BET
A good start though, their first of the season, saw the Warriors establish an 8 – nil lead early, a margin that was dwindled to 2 points at halftime, 8 – 6.
Two more second half tries again set up a comfortable margin but the Cowboys closed with two tries of their own and were finishing fast, it was only a toe on the line from Cowboys winger Kane Linnett with a minute to go, that helped the Warriors hang on by a thread for a much needed win.
It wasn’t pretty but after the first two weeks, the Warriors just needed a win anyway they could get it and now that the ball is rolling, they’ll be keen to keep the momentum up this week against the Tigers.
After a 20 point loss to the Dragons in week 1, the Tigers surprised everyone with wins as long outsiders firstly over the Titans on the Gold Coast (42 – 12) and last week, against competition favourites South Sydney (25 – 16).
The Tigers have been playing with great enthusiasm and commitment over the past two weeks and are playing a brand of football that belies there premiership odds.
The Tigers haven’t been afraid to chance their arm in attack so far this year, having posted a total of fourteen tries, including twice within the first five minutes of the match, compared to the Warriors who have only a total of nine.
These two sides have produced some great clashes in the past few seasons, with no more than 10 points separating them at the conclusion of their last five matches, of which the Warriors have won three including their only home game during this time.
It has been easier to be impressed by the Tigers over the past fortnight than the Warriors – hard see the Warriors beating Souths in their current form, and the price on offer about the Tigers is inviting.
Only one change for each team form last week with the Warrior’s Feleti Mateo replaced by Thomas Leuluai and for the Tigers, Corey Patterson comes in for Liam Fulton who will sit this one out after suffering a concussion last week. TIGERS to keep the good form going.
Odds Comparison:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| New Zealand Warriors | 1.48 | 1.47 | 1.50 | 1.47 | 1.48 | 1.50 |
| Wests Tigers | 2.70 | 2.75 | 2.65 | 2.75 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
Sam Tomkins, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering, Sione Lousi. Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Suaia Matagi, Konrad Hurrell, Thomas Leuluai
Ins: Thomas Leuluai
Outs: Feleti Mateo (knee, indefinite)
Other unavailables: Ben Henry (knee, round 10), Kevin Locke (knee, indefinite)
Wests Tigers:
James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Keith Lulia, Tim Simona, Pat Richards, Braith Anasta, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway, Cory Paterson, Bodene Thompson, Adam Blair. Interchange: Martin Taupau, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, James Gavet
Ins: Cory Paterson
Outs: Liam Fulton (concussion, indefinite)
Other unavailables: Chris Lawrence (hamstring, indefinite), Curtis Sironen (foot, mid-season), Dene Halatau (ankle, mid-season), Tim Moltzen (knee, indefinite)