Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of the Warriors scores a try during the NRL Round 19 match between the Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors. Photo: James Gourley/Photosport
Warriors v Eels
Kickoff: 8.00pm, Friday 2 August
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart - Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The big story of the week is the return of veteran star playmaker Shaun Johnson. Some thought he might not play again for the Warriors this season, or potentially ever again after the Titans drubbing the last time he pulled on the jersey. With everything to prove over the next month, Johnson finds himself with no contract heading into the 2025 NRL season, even after narrowly missing out on the Dally M Player of the Year medal just over a year ago.
In their first match in New Zealand since 2017, old rivals the Eels are playing for little more than pride, after their fall from grace of grand finalists in 2022 to battling it out with the Tigers to avoid the wooden spoon in 2024. With new head coach Jason Ryles on the way, the club has already started a clean-out of its roster, informing multiple players their services won't be required next year with the latest being future star fullback Blaize Talagi.
Shaun Johnson. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Here's a look at the teams:
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicole-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett (c) 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker
Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson (c) 2. Jake Tago 3. Will Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Regan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson
Interchange: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Luca Mortetti 17. Dan Keir
Warriors selections
Besides the long awaited return of Shaun Johnson the Warriors also welcome back star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, forcing RTS to shift out to the wing at the expense of Edward Kosi. Te Maire Martin is believed to have been nursing an injury so sits the game out in favour of Harris-Tavita pairing with Johnson in the halves. Freddy Lussick also lines up against his older brother Joey, with both siblings wearing the number 14.
Freddy Lussick of the Warriors in action. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Eels selections
With Morgan Harper in the reserves and the recent announcement of Blaize Tailagi's departure, the former Sea Eagles and NZ Māori centre could find himself shuffled into the starting line-up. Otherwise the Eels have named an unchanged 17 from last week, when they put up a decent fight against top of the table Storm before losing 32 - 14.
Past results
Warriors 46 - 10 Eels
In one of the high points of the Warriors' illustrious season last year, they absolutely thumped Parramatta over in Sydney 46 - 10, in a display of class and dominance. It's fair to say the rivalry between the two clubs has died down since the days of Manu Vatuvei and Luke Burt on the wings, but the Eels will be looking to get one back over the Warriors in Parramatta's first time across the ditch since 2017.
Prediction
Just because they beat the Tigers last week and find themselves sitting three points outside of the top eight, that doesn't mean the Warriors can afford to take their foot off the gas right now. In fact, they need to strap a brick on the pedal if they want to salvage something out of what has been a rollercoaster of a season. Last week's performance against the Tigers was underwhelming, after inviting them back into the game in the second half off the back of mistakes and missed opportunities.
With tough games against the Dolphins, Manly, Bulldogs and the Sharks on the horizon, the Warriors will need to use tonight's game to get their attack clicking against a lesser ranked opponent. In saying that, the Eels will be playing with nothing to lose so the Warriors shouldn't take them lightly. No one wants to see a repeat of what happened against the Titans a month ago.