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Warriors v Sharks: Metcalf partners SJ; Nicho cleared

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Timestamp

Lofty expectations accompany the Warriors into the new season, while the Sharks go again after another disappointing finals fade out in 2023. 

Andrew Webster's side are the hottest sporting ticket in town right now following last year's run to the preliminary finals and as a result Go Media Stadium will likely be packed to the rafters for their season-opener against Craig Fitzgibbon's men. 

Both teams had a win and a loss in the Pre-Season Challenge and their most recent hit-outs left plenty of room for improvement, with the Warriors guilty of some big defensive lapses in a 34-22 win over the Dolphins and the Sharks' attack struggling to fire without the injured Nicho Hynes in a 12-6 win against the Bulldogs.

The Warriors won both clashes against Cronulla last year, including a dramatic comeback victory in Round 5 which was . 

Last season's loss in Auckland was the first time in four games that the Sharks left Go Media Stadium without the two competition points and all up they've won in nine of 20 trips there. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Sharks

Team News 

Warriors: No game day changes with the Warriors lining up as named. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) won't be risked so Taine Tuaupiki lines up at fullback for his sixth NRL appearance. Luke Metcalf gets the nod at five-eighth with Te Maire Martin in the reserves. Marata Niukore is sidelined with a minor foot fracture. Adam Pompey is 18th man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Nicho Hynes (quad) is right to go along with Dale Finucane (calf). Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is at least another week away so Oregon Kaufusi comes into the starting side. Bench forward Jack Williams plays his 100th NRL game. Kayal Iro is 18th man and Tuku Hau Tapuha was the last man omitted on game day.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
  • Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Dylan Walker
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Adam Pompey
    Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Warriors have won their past five games at Go Media Stadium.
  • The Sharks have lost their opening round game in nine of the past 10 seasons.
  • Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 24 tries in his past 19 NRL games.
  • Sharks forward Jack Williams will make his 100th NRL appearance in the match. 
  • The Warriors scored 76 points in home and away wins against the Sharks in 2023.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.