Warriors Vs Sea Eagles: New Zealand Warriors host Manly Sea Eagles in final regular-season match
The warriors vs sea eagles match is scheduled for Saturday, 5 September, with the New Zealand Warriors hosting Manly at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The Warriors can secure the NRL minor premiership, but their position at the top of the ladder still depends partly on Penrith’s result against the Wests Tigers.
New Zealand Warriors host Manly Sea Eagles in final regular-season match
Kick-off is listed for 5pm NZ time at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, which is 3pm AEST. Fox Sports lists coverage on Fox League and streaming on Kayo, with coverage beginning at 2.30pm AEST. (Fox Sports match preview; NZ Herald line-ups and kickoff details)
After 26 rounds, the Warriors and Penrith Panthers were level on competition points, with the Warriors holding a one-point advantage on points differential. Penrith’s match against the Tigers is scheduled for Sunday, so a Warriors victory over Manly would not by itself guarantee the minor premiership if the Panthers win by a larger margin. (RNZ ladder and match guide; NZ Herald line-ups and kickoff details)
The Warriors have already secured a home final in the opening week of the playoffs. They entered the match with a 17-6 record and five consecutive wins, while Manly were ninth at 11-12 and had been eliminated from finals contention the previous weekend. (Fox Sports match preview; RNZ ladder and match guide)
Confirmed team changes for Warriors and Sea Eagles
The Warriors will be without hooker Wayde Egan and back-rower Kurt Capewell, who have been rested. Leka Halasima is also out with a minor ankle issue and is expected to be available for the following week’s home final.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns from suspension and moves into the centres, while Taine Tuaupiki starts at fullback. Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita also return from hamstring injuries. Sam Healey replaces Egan at hooker and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava starts in the second row in place of Capewell. (Warriors team update; NRL.com team lists)
NRL.com reported no game-day changes for Manly’s starting side after its win over the Dragons. Onitoni Large remained on the interchange, while Nic Lenaz and Hugo Hart were removed from the squad in the 24-hour update and Jackson Shereb was added to the interchange. (NRL.com team lists)
The match also has individual significance for Manly. Reuben Garrick is due to play his 180th and final game for the club, while Nathan Brown is set to make his final appearance for the Sea Eagles. Garrick is two tries short of becoming the fifth Manly player to reach 100 tries for the club. (Sea Eagles team update)
What remains undecided before kick-off
The Warriors are chasing their second minor premiership and first since 2002. A win would also give them an 18th victory of the regular season, which the NZ Herald reported would be the best regular-season record in club history, although the final ladder position remains linked to Penrith’s Sunday result. (NZ Herald line-ups and kickoff details)
Manly’s finals hopes are over, but the Sea Eagles entered the fixture after consecutive high-scoring wins over the Dragons and Knights and were aiming to finish the season with a third straight victory. The available reporting does not establish the final minor-premiership outcome until the Warriors–Sea Eagles result and Penrith’s later match are completed. (NRL.com match preview; Sea Eagles team update)