Warriors v Wests Tigers preview

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Clinging to hopes of a finals miracle the Tigers meet an equally desperate Warriors outfit in a game which will end one side's September dreams.

The Warriors come into this one on the back of two disappointing efforts. They were expected to easily account for South Sydney at home before being challenged by the Cowboys in Townsville. Hence, most of the New Zealand faithful were expecting at least two points to come from both these outings. Yet, as is typical of this enigmatic side, with everything on the line, they stumbled. Now the Warriors are forced to rely on other teams to do the same, namely the Gold Coast Titans. It is plausible that the Titans could lose their next two games (against Penrith and North Queensland). However, this requires the Warriors to refocus. Errors were particularly prevalent in their effort last week against the Cowboys, coughing the ball up 13 times on route to a 28 point thrashing. The Warriors denied themselves any chance of winning that match with their completion rate dipping to just 57%. If they replicate that this weekend they are a serious chance of suffering a similar result against an, albeit rudderless Tigers team.

The Tigers were downright awful against the Panthers. With their season on the line you would expect some form of commitment from the Tigers, yet loyal Tigers fans witnessed the opposite. The Tigers missed a whopping 49 tackles and their haphazard defence gifted Penrith easy four pointers as evident in Isaah Yeo and Bryce Cartwright's tries. The Tigers are virtually no chance of making the eight, but they still hold slim hopes of finals football if they emerge victorious this weekend. However, in order for that to happen, the Tigers will also need to overcome a Raiders outfit shooting for a Top 2 spot. Even at their spiritual home Leichhardt Oval that seems a stretch out of their abilities, particularly when you consider the inept performance dished out on Friday night.

Last meeting: Round 1 2016 - Wests Tigers 34 Warriors 26

Who to watch: The match up in the halves between livewires Shaun Johnson and Mitchell Moses may be where this is decided. Shaun Johnson needs to step up this week as his team attempts to keep their season. For a player with 17 try assists, 10 tries and 60 tackle busts Johnson went seriously missing last weekend against the Cowboys. For a player who averages 70 running metres a game, his meagre 15 against the Cowboys is disappointing and this week he will have to outshine another exciting prospect in Mitchell Moses.

Moses was a shining light for the Tigers in an otherwise uninspiring performance against Penrith. Moses boasted 118 running metres, 3 tackle busts, 3 line breaks and a deserved try in a promising effort not really assisted by his team mates. Moses has only managed 15 try assists, 28 tackle busts and 5 tries this season but has shown a considerable boost in confidence and ability in recent months taking the pressure of fellow half Luke Brooks. Moses' balance of composure and brilliance on Sunday afternoon will be key.

The favourite: Both sides are coming off poor last start efforts but it's the Warriors expected to bounce back.

My tip: If the Tigers produce the same defensive effort as last week this could get ugly. However, the Warriors have been equally disappointing in defence as of late. Back at home, in a high scoring match look for the Warriors to sneak home by 8.

1. David Fusitua 2. Tuimoala Lolohea 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 20. Issac Luke 10. Albert Vete 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano 15. Sam Lisone 16. Ben Matulino 17. James Gavet

1. David Nofoaluma 2. Jordan Rankin 3. Tim Simona 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Dene Halatau 10. Sauaso Sue 11. Josh Aloiai 17. Joel Edwards 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 18. Michael Chee-Kam 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Tim Grant 19. Curtis Sironen

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Shane Rehm; Video Referees: Ashley Klein, Steve Chiddy, Luke Patten