Go Media Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 6 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday April 13, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Where: Go Media Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview
After big statements last weekend from the Warriors and Manly, this Auckland-hosted showdown to kick off Saturdays schedule shapes as the match of the round.
The 3-2 rivals are both on the fifth line of premiership betting at $15 and are staking an early top-four claim.
The Warriors were impressive overall in splitting their first four matches, without being able to piece together an 80-minute performance or convert field-position dominance into a pointscoring spree.
It all clicked at Accor Stadium last Saturday, however, riding out the first-half arm-wrestle before obliterating South Sydney 34-4 on the back of virtuoso displays from Wayde Egan, Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, and another superb defensive effort.
The Warriors on a three-match winning streak with the best defensive record in the NRL get Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Kurt Capewell back, with Adam Pompey dropping out and Bunty Afoa suffering a hamstring injury, Mitch Barnett reverts to prop.
The Sea Eagles have been a bit patchier, but they bounced back from blowing a 14-point lead to Parramatta and a dismal 20-12 defeat to St George Illawarra with a fast-finishing 32-18 victory over Cleary-less Penrith at home.
Daly Cherry-Evans was sensational in his record-breaking game, Nathan Brown was the best forward on the field and Tom Trbojevic looks back to near his best.
Ben Trbojevic shifts to centre for Reuben Garrick (concussion), with Corey Waddell moving into the starting pack and Ethan Bullemor joining the bench.
The Warriors overall record against Manly (13 wins, 27 losses) is their worst against any current club (as is their 5-11 Mt Smart record), but the last eight encounters have been split.
They came from behind to beat the also-ran Sea Eagles 29-22 at home in Round 25 last year; DWZ and the currently-injured Jason Saab both scored hat-tricks.
The Warriors have won eight of their last nine on New Zealand soil, while Manly has won just three of its last 14 outside Sydney.
DCE has been a constant thorn in the Warriors side and tormented their left edge in last years clash but it will be a big ask to pull off an upset at Mt Smart with the full house sign up yet again.
The Warriors have struggled with injuries but this is arguably the strongest side they have fielded all year; expect them to again set the tone defensively during the first half before powering away to a comfortable W.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Tip
We're tipping New Zealand Warriors to win at $1.50 odds.
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Adam Pompey 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Zyon Maiu’u 22. Edward Kosi 23. Ali Leiataua
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Ben Trbojevic 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Aaron Woods 20. Brad Parker 21. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong