“You’d rather space them out a bit kinder, but I think if you’re going to go on the road, you want three byes. We’ve probably got a few few niggles, so it’s good to have a little bit of a break and everyone sort of reconnect.”
For the Tigers, they must win to stay in touch with the top eight, as they chase their first finals appearance since 2011.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall says finals football is far from their minds at moment.
“We’re not even talking about finals to be honest, it’s more about getting our process right consistently because at the moment we’re very inconsistent, playing well for 20 minutes, then not playing well for 20,” Marshall said.
“We’ve got to get an 80-minute performance this week.”
Warriors v Tigers line-ups
The Warriors welcome back co-captain James Fisher-Harris (calf), second-rower Leka Halasima (hamstring) and wing Alofiana Khan-Pereira (quad) from injury.
The trio missed the defeat to the Dolphins and provide much-needed experience to Webster’s side.
Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell won’t back up from Origin on Wednesday night, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also missing with a hamstring injury. All three players should be back next weekend.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3. Ali Lleiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khaln-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange (from): 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17, Marata Niukore, 18. Luke Metcalf, 21. Luke Laulilii, 25. Morgan Gannon.
For the Tigers, they head in to the match following more off-field drama with reports influential claiming five-eighth Jarome Luai has been given permission to leave the club at the end of the season.
Luai, who is making his return from concussion, has already signed for the PNG Chiefs in 2028.
The Tigers have lost hooker Api Koroisau to a pectoral injury, while former Warrior Bunty Afoa has been named to start at prop.
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Heamasi Makasini, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Adam Doueihi, 8. Terrell May, 9. Josese Lanyon, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Sione Fainu, 13. Alex Twal.
Interchange (from): 14. Latu Fainu, 15. Fonua Pole, 16. Alex Seyfarth, 17. Tony Sukkar, 18. Faalentino Tavana, 19. Charlie Murray, 22. Jared Haywood.
Warriors v Tigers history
The Warriors and Tigers have squared off 40 times, with the Warriors holding a 23-17 win record.
Despite the record, the Tigers have surprisingly scored more points against the Warriors, 875 compared to 869.
In matches played in Australia though, the honours are even with 11 wins each, although the Tigers do hold a 5-4 advantage at games played at Campbelltown.
Leka Halasima scored a game-winning try the last time the Warriors played the Tigers in Campbelltown. Photo / Photosport.
The Tigers won their most recent clash in Auckland, overcoming an early 10-point deficit to claim a 32-14 win and hand the Warriors their first loss of the season.
Before that, the Warriors had won nine-straight against the Tigers, the longest win streak against either side.
The last time they played at Campbelltown, Halasima scored a length of the field try to secure a 26-24 win for the Warriors.
Form guide (past five matches)
Both sides are in slumps, with the Warriors losing three of their past five – all three defeats have been by two points – and have come against sides currently inside the top eight.
The Tigers have lost four of their past five, including three straight. Their recent run of form includes a 68-0 hammering at the hands of the Penrith Panthers, while last week they lost 24-10 to the St George Illawarra Dragons to hand them their second win of the season.
Warriors v Tigers TAB odds
Warriors $1.36 Tigers $3.10
Warriors v Tigers – how to follow the action
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreamed on Sky Sport Now, from 9.30pm.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.