NRL Preview: Manly v Warriors

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Sat 9 Jun 2018, 07:29 AM

Can that great winning streak over the New Zealand Warriors continue today in Christchurch?

The Sea Eagles head into the vital Round 14 premiership clash having won seven of their last encounters with the Warriors.

Today's match at AMI Stadium in Christchurch is a Manly home game and a proud moment for the Club as the Sea Eagles create history by playing for the first time in the South Island of New Zealand.

Spirits within the Sea Eagles camp are high and the players are determined to bounce back hard following their disappointing loss to an understrength Cowboys side last Thursday.

With just four wins from 13 matches, the Sea Eagles know they must start stringing some victories together if they are to force their way into the top eight.

The team has been boosted with the news NSW Origin players Jake and Tom Trbojevic will play against the Warriors. Both were sorely missed against the Cowboys and will be keen to reproduce their strong performances for the Blues on Wednesday night for their beloved Sea Eagles.

Winger Jorge Taufua and forward Shaun Lane have also been cleared to play after suffering concussion last week.

The battle between two very big and mobile forwards packs will be huge and whoever gains the edge early will allow their exciting backs to attack.

It will also be an interesting match-up in the halves with Warriors five-eighth Blake Green coming up against his team-mates from last year for the first time. Green knows the Sea Eagles style of play well and will partner dynamic half Shaun Johnson, who will play his 150th NRL game.

However, the Warriors will also have to worry about Manly half-back and captain Daly Cherry-Evans, a player who has caused plenty of heartache for them in recent seasons with his match winning plays and field goals to get the Sea Eagles home. His combination with new five-eighth Trent Hodkinson is developing strongly with every match.

Apart from the two vital competition points, the teams are also playing for the Broadhurst Shelford Trophy named after Mark Broadhurst and Adrian Shelford, two former Manly players who did so much for rugby league in Christchurch.