Warriors prepare for Tigers clash with key omissions and returns
The One New Zealand Warriors are set to face the Wests Tigers in a National Rugby League (NRL) encounter at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney tonight. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm local time, which is 10:00 pm NZT. The Warriors will be without Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell, who are being rested after their recent State of Origin duties.
Barnett and Capewell both participated in the third match of the 2026 State of Origin campaign, where New South Wales secured a 30-12 victory over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium. Despite being named in the Warriors‘ 22-man squad earlier in the week, a decision was made on Thursday morning to omit them from the lineup. Barnett played 38 minutes for the Blues, while Capewell played 50 minutes for the Maroons.
Their absence has led to the inclusion of former Leeds Rhinos second-rower Morgan Gannon on the bench. Gannon‘s only previous first-grade appearance this season was in round three against the Knights, and he has scored three tries in six games for the club’s New South Wales Cup side.
Key Returns for the Warriors
Despite the omissions, the Warriors welcome back several key players. Co-captain James Fisher-Harris returns after being sidelined with a calf injury since the 18-20 loss to Penrith on May 31. This period included two byes, an 8-10 loss to the Sharks, a 38-20 win against the Cowboys, and a 24-26 defeat by the Dolphins.
Second-rower Leka Halasima also makes his return from a hamstring injury, having been out since the same match against Penrith. Winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who has scored nine tries in eight appearances, is back from a thigh injury that kept him out of games against the Cowboys and Dolphins. However, the Warriors will be without leading try-scorer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has 16 tries in 15 appearances, due to a hamstring injury sustained against the Dolphins.
The extended bench for the Warriors includes Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Demitric Vaimauga, Marata Niukore, Luke Metcalf, and former Wests Tigers player Luke Laulilii, who has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season. Hooker Makaia Tafua was dropped from the squad at the 24-hour deadline.
Tigers Aim to Rebound
The Wests Tigers are looking to get their finals campaign back on track after a challenging period. They suffered a defeat to the Dragons last weekend, a game in which captain Api Koroisau sustained a pectoral injury that will keep him out for a month. Youngster Josese Lanyon has been named at hooker in his place.
In positive news for the Tigers, captain Jarome Luai is expected to return from a concussion that prevented him from playing in the loss to the Dragons. Luai replaces Jock Madden, who will feature in the NSW Cup. Back-rower Samuela Fainu is also on track to return from a foot injury he suffered in Round 9.
The Tigers currently sit 12th on the ladder after three consecutive losses to the Dolphins, Knights, and Dragons. They remain four points outside the top eight with nine games remaining in the season. When these two teams last met in round four at Go Media Stadium, the Tigers secured a 32-14 victory.
The Warriors, following their third bye, are second on the ladder with 26 points, level with the Roosters and Knights. The match officials for the game will be referee Wyatt Raymond, touch judge Kasey Badger, and senior review official Chris Butler.
Read Also
Source: warriors.kiwi
