Warriors v Sea Eagles: What time, team list, injuries, NRL ladder - everything you need to know

NRL: NZ Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles

Kickoff 5pm Saturday, 5 September

Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Live blog updates on RNZ

Heading into the final round, the NZ Warriors have one hand on a shield they have not held for 24 years - but the race for the minor premiership could not be tighter.

After 26 rounds, the Warriors and Penrith Panthers are locked on competition points at the top of the NRL ladder, with just a single point separating them on points differential.

It means the minor premiership could come down to the slimmest of margins.

The Warriors currently hold the advantage, but with Penrith facing the Tigers on Sunday night, even a big win over Manly on Saturday may not be enough to guarantee the New Zealand club finish the regular season on top.

For all the pride that would come with claiming a trophy for the first time in 24 years, Andrew Webster knows it is ultimately just a stepping stone.

The Warriors' real target is a maiden NRL title, and the final round is as much about making sure they are playing their best football heading into the playoffs as it is about finishing first.

"There will be no one prouder if we happen to be minor premiers," Webster said.

"It's a historical trophy and we'd be proud of it but not at the expense of what we need to do to play our best football this week. We haven't been happy with a couple things the last couple of weeks. So get them right and I'll be happy. And if that means we get the minor premiership then that's a bonus."

Webster will watch the Panthers' clash with the Tigers closely, but not simply in the hope Penrith fall short. He'll be using it as an opportunity to do his homework ahead of the playoffs.

"I won't be having the boys around for a barbecue, that's for sure."

The weekend marks another special occasion for Webster, who will notch his 100th match in charge of the Warriors.

"It's been a lot more than what I thought it would be. When you dream of starting your NRL career, you want to do at a place that you're passionate about. That's why I wanted to come here and I'm really grateful for that."

History

The head-to-head ledger with Manly does not make for pretty reading for the Warriors, having won only 14 of 42 meetings since 1998.

The Sea Eagles have claimed 27 wins with one draw. This is the first meeting between the teams this season, with Manly having won the fixture in 2025 in Sydney 27-26.

The sides have met in a grand final, Manly taking the 2011 decider 24-10. The biggest win by either side belongs to the Sea Eagles who dismantled the Wahs 52 -6 in 2008, Brett Stewart and Michael Robertson each bagging hat-tricks in the Brookvale rout.

Form

The Warriors are on a stellar run, winning their last five on the trot, and cracking 40 points in four of those wins. Manly meanwhile have managed to turn things around with two big wins however it has come too late in the season, as they are out of top eight contention.

Selections

The Warriors will welcome back a trio of big guns for their final regular season hit-out against Manly, which will see the return of Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Kurt Capewell and Wayde Eagan will sit out the final round.

"It's been a while since we've been together and Wade deserved a rest," Webster said.

"He's played every game this year and and he deserves a break. I think Sam deserves an opportunity to get more minutes because he's been that closer every game this year where he's come on and helped us steer us to victory. So starting and getting a taste of something different would be good for him."

Manly have made no changes to the side that defeated St George last week, with Reuben Garrick set to play his 180th and final game for the Sea Eagles, two tries short of 100 tries for the club.

Team lists

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Sam Healey, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark.

Interchange: 14. Makaia Tafua, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Morgan Gannon, 18. Taine Tuaupiki.

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Josh Feledy, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Clayton Faulalo, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Simione Laiafi, 9. Brandon Wakeham, 10. Nathan Brown, 11. Haumole Olakau'atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic.

Interchange: 14. Jake Simpkin, 15. Nic Lenaz, 16. Corey Waddell, 17. Caleb Navale, 18. Onitoni Large, 19. Fletcher Baker.

What will happen

While they publicly admit to paying no attention to finishing in top, there is no doubt the Warriors will be highly motivated to not only win, but win well to give themselves the best shot at taking the minor premiership. With the Sea Eagles having little to play for, and a parochial home crowd behind them, expect the Wahs to pile on the points at Mount Smart.

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