'11 | Finals Wk 2 | Fri | Tigers 20-22 Warriors | SFS

[Mader45]

Warriors will no doubt turn in a better performance than on Saturday, but they are likely to be missing Mannering (in doubt with knee), Rapira (possible suspension), Moon (our only actual centre - gone for season).

As for Vatuvei - by rights he should be dropped, but it raises another issue. If Berrigan isn't fit we actually have NO centres... Brown is a nightmare at centre, Ropati isn't back until 2010, and we have no juniors or reserves with any first grade experience in that position.

If the above plays out (apart from Ropati travelling back in time) then I'm confident we'll do it. I just hate going into games complacent. I'm not used to it. The Tigers could lose against an u7 girls team on their bad days. They seem to be few and far between recently though.

 

[hitman82]

If the above plays out (apart from Ropati travelling back in time) then I'm confident we'll do it. I just hate going into games complacent. I'm not used to it. The Tigers could lose against an u7 girls team on their bad days. They seem to be few and far between recently though.

Haha, I've been dodgy with the year quite a lot recently.

Mannering and Rapira have been cleared to play and Cleary has announced he will not drop Manu.

Yeah I'm kind of hoping for a classic Tigers flaky display but they haven't had one in a while now...

 

[WarriorsFan4Life]

Heart says Warriors, Head says Tigers.

Go the Warriors!.

 

[to_ddeath]

Warriors in an upset. Doubt the Tigs can produce 2 strong back to back halves of football, & can't see Warriors dishing that up again either. Won't be much in it either way.


T.

 

[Mader45]

Yeah I'm kind of hoping for a classic Tigers flaky display but they haven't had one in a while now...

Don't worry. All week all you're going to hear is about how Lawrence is back, the hopeless in defense Utai is out and we have the strongest team possible (well, apart from Dwyer but Fulton has been brilliant lately).

The one thing conveniently being forgotten by us is that last year Lawrence came back in Finals Week 2 as well after many weeks off thanks to his jaw.

And what happened? Bronson Harrison made him a turnstile all night in defense.

 

[Wato]

I would love to see the Warriors play Manu at center and play Inu on the wing. I reckon Manu is purpose made to play center, his strength and power could make him a devastating attacking weapon off the scrum and draw the opposition winger in and allow him to position his own winger.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Wielder is such a douche bag.

They run a story saying that they used "secret" cameras to film Chris Lawrence's fitness test. They show some dodgy footage that looks like it's filmed on a mobile phone but then a few minutes later Wielder is interviewing him there and then with a normal camera.

Considering it was revealed much earlier in the day that Lawrence was going to play.........that was just the dumbest sh*t ever.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Pretty confident we'll get this one, but it will be tough. I'll say us by 10. Lawrence will tidy up our left side defence, so they Warriors won't walk all over it like the Dragons did, and Benji can't play much worse than he did on Friday.

Fun fact: every time the Tigers and Dragons have played in the finals, the winner has gone on to win the comp.

 

[Masoe_eats_babies]

I just hope it's a good game. I've been a bit underwhelmed by the first round of finals games, as a Warriors and NRL fan

I voted Warriors but I reckon we'll take the first half with Tigers staging a come back in the 2nd and running in a few tries in the last 10 minutes to put us out, comfortably.

 

[Cletus]

I'm going for the Warriors but its a hard game to pick. The Tigers were woeful in the first half and the Dragons really should have had a bigger halftime lead, the Warriors had probably their worst game of the year. I thought the Warriors forwards were very strong and a smarter gameplan should see them get on top, although I don't know if their halves can take advantage of that. Should be a great game to watch.

 

[matrightyeh]

go the tigers

 

[VodafoneWarriors1995]

I'm going to go with the heart and tip us. Surely, we can't play as bad as Saturday night.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Since the Warriors have no fit Centres is there a chance Hurrell could be thrown into the big time?

 

[Timmah]

I get a strange feeling the Warriors will suddenly turn it on this week.

In addition, I'd be more confident in the Warriors beating Melbourne than the Tigers.

 

[Rebel]

In addition, I'd be more confident in the Warriors beating Melbourne than the Tigers.

This. If the Warriors can get past the Tigers, I think they will end up in the Grand Final.

 

[hitman82]

Since the Warriors have no fit Centres is there a chance Hurrell could be thrown into the big time?

No way. Cleary loves second rowers and will almost certainly select Brown and Mannering in the centres if Berrigan is not fit. There is an outside chance of Inu gaining selection but I doubt it.

 

[Kid]

Don't worry. All week all you're going to hear is about how Lawrence is back, the hopeless in defense Utai is out and we have the strongest team possible (well, apart from Dwyer but Fulton has been brilliant lately).

The one thing conveniently being forgotten by us is that last year Lawrence came back in Finals Week 2 as well after many weeks off thanks to his jaw.

And what happened? Bronson Harrison made him a turnstile all night in defense.

Massive difference in coming back early from a broken jaw then there is a hamstring injury. Physical contact doesn't worry a hammy, but it certainly does with a broken jaw. Having said that, being a Wests supporter, i think this is a massive danger game for the Tigers and would be more confident IF we win this playing the Storm than what i am about this game.

 

[hitman82]

*edit, needs a source*

 

[themidnightrider]

I rekcon Warriors have this. The halves to turn it on and Johnson to show Marshall some real pace.

 

[hitman82]

there ya go Twizzle...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news...ectid=10751461

He might have witnessed his side produce their worst performance of the year but Warriors coach Ivan Clearly has remained faithful to his players and made only one forced change for Friday's must-win playoffs match against the Wests Tigers.
Krisnan Inu will start at centre for the Warriors, replacing Joel Moon who broke his leg in Saturday night's 40-10 loss to the Brisbane Broncos. Moon, who is off contract at the end of the season, had surgery on the leg on Monday and has remained in Australia.
Cleary called that performance against Brisbane an "aberration'' and expected his side would be much better against the Tigers. The Warriors talked about being over-confident against the Broncos but that won't be an issue against a side riding high after nine consecutive wins.
Inu was unlucky to miss out on a starting spot against the Broncos after scoring a double the previous week against the Cowboys but made way for the returning Manu Vatuvei. He's had an in-and-out season, playing in 15 matches and scoring 10 tries, but most of those starts have come on the wing.


Inu had one outing at centre against the Bulldogs, when he had a poor game, but he's played a large part of his NRL career in the centres and is comfortable with the role.
Captain Simon Mannering admitted he was feeling the effects of a long season but declared his leg injury wouldn't prevent him playing.


1. Locke
2. Tupou
4. Brown
3. Inu
5. Vatuvei
6. Maloney
7. Johnson
8. Rapira
9. Heremaia
10. Lillyman
11. Mateo
12. Mannering (c)
13. Luck

Bench:
Hohaia, Matulino, Packer, Ta'ai