Round 2: Wests Tigers v Warriors preview
After easily accounting for lowly opponents, the Tigers and Warriors look to prove they're the real deal.
While a win is a win (just ask the Panthers, who went down to Parramatta 20-12), Michael Maguire will certainly be ensuring his troops don't get too ahead of themselves after last week's 20-6 victory over Manly. It was a fairly dour contest, neither side initially able to adapt to the wet conditions, and both guilty of poor ball handling. In fact, there were a total of 15 errors from both sides in the first half, seeing the only points come courtesy of a Daly Cherry-Evans penalty goal.
During the period in which they scored 20 points and won the game, the Tigers made just one mistake.
While the rain may have drove the masses away from Leichhardt last weekend, sunny skies should see Campbelltown painted in orange and black on Sunday. The potential return of fullback Moses Mbye this week should add more fluency to the Tigers' attack, as should having a dry track. Having stood up in defence, being denied of a clean sheet in the final few moments of last week's game, then external focus has shifted to their offence as they prepare for last week's biggest victors.
The Warriors showed no mercy against the Bulldogs, rampaging to a dominant 40-6 win. It certainly silenced the club's critics, with many questioning whether they had the points in them after deciding to punt Shaun Johnson.
In saying that, it was only Canterbury - widely tipped to finish with the wooden spoon. But for a side that has so often yearned for consistency, any win is important. And the challenge now is to keep the momentum going as they have a realistic chance of going 4-0 to start the season with the Sea Eagles and Titans to come in the next two weeks.
Last meeting: Round 9 2018 - Warriors 26 Wests Tigers 4
The Warriors comprehensively accounted for Wests 26-4 in their only meeting last year.
Who to watch: For the home side, it will be interesting to see how last week's debutant Thomas Mikaele is used after a strong display from limited time off the bench. In his 31-minute stint, the 21-year old Kiwi ran for over 100 metres and made 24 tackles without missing one in a strong opening performance. His impressive work ethic when combined with his 194-centimetre stature provides plenty of impact off the bench, particularly against the Warriors' robust forward pack.
Busting 10 tackles and running over 140 metres in his last game against the Tigers, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck poses the biggest attacking threat to McGuire's men. His evasive footwork and speed were on full display last week as he fooled the Canterbury defence to score early in the second half. While deserving of praise, the Tigers weren't thoroughly tested last week by Manly and will have to be even more observant of the Warriors' flashy fullback.
The favourite: Home ground advantage sees the Tigers earn favouritism.
My tip: Backing the Warriors away from home is fraught with danger but that is exactly what I am going to do. Both sides did well to take care of relatively soft opposition but it was Stephen Kearney's men who did so in more convincing fashion. Warriors by 10.
