Manly star Josh Schuster has been benched, while two of the game’s most experienced halfbacks go head-to-head as the Warriors host the Sea Eagles at Daniel Anderson Stadium, Auckland.
As part of the NRL’s Daniel Anderson round, the Warriors have re-named their home ground after one of their former coaches.
Shaun Johnson has been in arguably career-best form and is a big reason the Warriors are pushing for a top four finish.
But he comes up against one of the game’s most accomplished No.7s in Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans on Friday night.
MATCH CENTRE: Warriors vs Sea Eagles live score, stats, video
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The Warriors are sitting third on the ladder having won seven of their last eight games. A win against the Sea Eagles should all but cement their spot in the top four ahead of clashes with the Dragons and Dolphins in the final two rounds.
Manly’s finals chances are looking slimmer by the day and they must win all of their three remaining games to keep in touch with the top eight.
They face the tough task of heading over to New Zealand to take on a Warriors side that’s beaming with confidence — and will do it without Mr. Consistent Brad Parker and Ben Trbojevic.
Both will miss this clash due to concussion protocols with Morgan Harper slotting in for Parker in the centres and Kelma Tuilagi named to start in the second row.
Mid-season recruit Jake Arthur will start at five-eighth in place of Schuster, who has been dropped to the bench.
The Warriors welcome back star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from a concussion, while Jazz Tevaga was a late scratching with a hamstring injury with Tom Ale replacing him on the bench.
TEAMS
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 21. Freddy Lussick. 18th man: 20. Taine Tuaupiki
Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 14. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic 6. Josh Schuster 15. Dean Matterson 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor. 18th man: 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
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