Sunday‘s NRL 2017 Round 26 match is between Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors. The opening kick is set to commence at 18:30 local time with the game to be played at Leichhardt Oval. The home team Wests Tigers are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors.

When: 18:30 | Sunday 03/09/2017

Where: Leichhardt Oval

Preview:

The Tigers will farewell skipper Aaron Woods and star fullback James Tedesco in a match which will have little bearing on the ladder. The wooden spoon can be avoided for the Tigers with a win. This would small consolation after a tough year on and off the field. The Warriors had their hearts broken by Manly in golden point to slump to an eighth-straight loss. Another defeat will consign them to their worst season since 2009. They’ll also farewell some influential players with Kieran Foran, Ryan Hoffman and Ben Matulino playing their final matches for the club.

Key: The Warriors have won one match outside Auckland this season and it’s hard to see that changing as the Tigers say an emotional goodbye to Woods and Tedesco at Leichhardt.

Tip: Warriors

Odds:

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Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $3.45

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: David Fusitua at $11.00

More Info:

Head to Head: Tigers 14 Warriors 13

Last clash: Round 25, 2016 – Tigers 36 bt Warriors 24 at Mt Smart Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.55 Warriors $2.45

FootyTAB: Warriors +4.5

Teams:

Tigers: 

1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Elijah Taylor, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Joel Edwards, 12. Josh Aloiai, 13. Matt Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14. Alex Twal, 15. Sauaso Sue, 16. Bayley Sironen, 17. Jack Littlejohn, 18. Ava Seumanufagai, 19. Jeremy Marshall-King, 20. JJ Felise, 21. Watson Heleta

Warriors:

1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Ben Matulino 9. Issac Luke 10. Sam Lisone 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering 14. Mafoa’aeata Hingano 15. Charlie Gubb 16. Isaiah Papalii 17. Jazz Tevaga 18. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad 20. Chris Satae 21. James Bell 22. Mason Lino

NRL News:

The finals formula is pretty simple for North Queensland ahead what looms as another epic NRL showdown with arch-rival Brisbane on Thursday night – win and you’re in.

However, the Cowboys claim they’ve had their eyes on Parramatta’s blueprint for success against the third-placed Broncos, rather than the NRL ladder.

North Queensland can clinch a seventh-straight finals appearance and finish as high as fifth with victory in the final round clash in Townsville.

Lose and they must sweat on other results over what would be an anxious weekend to scrape into the eight.

“You know what, we honestly haven’t spoken about it – it’s a game, we have to win it,” Cowboys assistant David Fairleigh said.

“To be honest I haven’t even looked at the ladder, I just know we are down near eighth.

“It doesn’t matter how other games go, we’ve just got to do what we’ve got to do.

“We haven’t spoken about ‘if we win we’ll finish wherever’, we’ve just got to get out there and compete.”

Brisbane may be already assured a top-four finish but the desperate Cowboys were given a timely cheat sheet on how to dismantle them thanks to the Eels’ stunning 52-34 rout at Suncorp Stadium last week.

“We are a different team to Parramatta but one thing they did well was they turned up to play,” Fairleigh said.

“What got them in that situation was they were very physical to start with, they upset Brisbane’s rhythm with the way they moved off the line.

“Things didn’t click for Brisbane on the night but we know that can turn around very quickly.

“I am sure we won’t see that Brisbane team tomorrow night.”

Fairleigh also hoped he didn’t see the same Cowboys team as last week despite notching a morale-boosting last round win over Wests Tigers.

While the victory snapped a four game losing run to keep them in the finals mix, Fairleigh said the Cowboys could not repeat their slow start.

“We were lucky enough to have some quality players get us home in the end but Brisbane won’t give us that opportunity,” Fairleigh said.

“We’ve got to play better, that is the bottom line.”

But motivation won’t be an issue ahead of what is expected to be another epic showdown against Brisbane.

Four of the past five derbies have been decided by one point and in extra-time.

“It’s a big game, a big occasion,” Fairleigh said.

“The two teams bring the best out of each other.

“And despite what happened to them last week and our own situation I am sure it will be a quality game tomorrow.”

Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote (ankle) was cleared after training strongly on Wednesday.

STATS THAT MATTER

* North Queensland have won the last five games against Brisbane in Townsville.

* North Queensland are chasing four straight overall wins over Brisbane for the first time in club history.

* Brisbane have won three of their past four matches as the away team.