Round 6: Warriors v Sea Eagles preview
AJ previews all the action from the upcoming battle between the Warriors and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa.
Last start winners look to prove premiership credentials
It might only be six weeks into the season, but the New Zealand Warriors will have an almighty test when they take on season surprise packets Manly Warringah at Mt Smart Stadium.
The Warriors were ruthless and dominant in a 34-4 ambush against South Sydney at Homebush last Saturday afternoon. Their spine combined brilliantly to absolutely dominate the middle third of the Rabbitohs. Charnze Nicol-Klokstad returned brilliantly from injury which will continue to give the Warriors some attacking flare. We've been critical of the bench output of their forwards to start 2024, and after a solid impact from guys like Bunty Afoa and Tom Ale, they will need to go to another level to match Manly.
To beat the Eagles, they will need to win the middle of the field. Manly's more dominating wins this season have come after ambushing teams through the middle third of the field. When the Eagles haven't done that is when they have struggled. So watch for AFB and Tohu Harris to set the standard early and look to bully Manly into submission. This will allow Shaun Johnson and Te Marie Martin to play on the front foot and combine nicely with their edges to execute attacking chances.
On the team front. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Kurt Capewell (return to the line-up after missing Round 5. That means Roger Tuivasa-Sheck return to centre with Adam Pompey dropping, while Capewell's inclusion moves Mitch Barnett back to prop. Bunty Afoa is out for the next 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury.
For Manly, they come into this one after surprising the "undisputed" premiers in the Panthers at home last week. Albeit there was some controversy there's no doubting that they played a brand of footy that frustrated Penrith and forced them to be off their game. Their bench impact really set the standard after a poor start from their middles, this allowed Paseka and Sipley to realise that they needed to strike back with vengeance if they wanted to keep their spots. They absolutely delivered with a strong second half. This allowed DCE and Turbo to be at their destructive best.
To beat the Warriors, they will need to replicate that on a week to week basis to show that they are dominant enough to match it with the best teams. It's good to strike with impact and ambush teams, but if it isn't done consistently than that's where problems will arise. That being said, we saw Turbo at his best last weekend after a poor game a week prior. If everything comes up Milhouse for the Eagles, then back to back wins are on the cards.
Manly face one change following their win. Reuben Garrick is out after having category 1 symptoms. His place is taken by Ben Trbojevic with Corey Waddell starting in the second-row. This sees Ethan Bullemor join the bench.
Last meeting: Round 25 2023 - Warriors 29 Sea Eagles 22
Who to watch: You may notice I haven't mentioned Wayde Egan so far. Well that's because he's mentioned here. The form number 9 of the premiership so far. His constant exploitation of the middle third has frustrated every side so far this season and consistently puts the Wahs on the front foot. After missing two weeks through injury, Egan has returned with vengeance setting up linebreaks and tries through his work out of 9. If he stays fit (touch wood), then he might have a NSW birth.
For Manly, the focus is on the middle and I've opted for Taniela Paseka. Coming into the season, much was expected after showing signs of improvement towards the back end of 2023 before injury robbed him of a strong end. To start 2024, he has been super dominant carving up opposite forward packs and giving Manly much needed momentum. A big test awaits Paseka against AFB so it's his chance to prove he's ready to take the leap up the prop chart.
Favourite: The Warriors are slight favourites. At Mt Smart, Manly has a strong record winning 11 of 16 clashes at the Wahs home.
My tip: The Warriors should have enough mongrel in the middle to win this one. This on top of the added flare out wide with CNK's return from injury, should push the Warriors past Manly. But I have a sneaky hunch that we might be doing some overtime in this one... Wahs by 2.
