We take a look at Friday’s (19/07/2019) NRL 2019 Week 18 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks. The New Zealand Warriors go into the match as the short priced favourites in betting and have been heavily backed.
When: Friday July 19th, 6:00pm
Where: Westpac Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
It’s a trip to Wellington for the Warriors and Sharks on Friday night as the two sides play off at Westpac Stadium. Neither team is in good form, with the Sharks losing four games in a row to slip outside the top eight, while the Warriors are winless in their past three matches.
The Sharks were humbled 40-16 by the Storm in Melbourne last weekend, while the Warriors played out a rare draw, tying 18-all with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
In a show of faith, New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has named an unchanged team, but that’s largely because there isn’t the squad depth to rotate into the senior squad. Matt Moylan is back from a hamstring injury, with Aaron Gray moving to the wing replacing Josh Morris. Josh Dugan has suffered a hamstring injury and is replaced by Kurt Capewell in a reshuffle, while Paul Gallen is back in the second row.
Despite winning just six games this campaign, New Zealand is just a point behind Cronulla in the standings. They have been one of the better teams against the handicap though at 9-7, but much of their joy has come on the road where they are 6-2. In home games they are 3-5.
The last NRL game to take place at the Cake Tin was in 2016, when the Warriors beat Canterbury 24-20. This match could go either way and given the Sharks have the second worst goal kicking percentage in the competition at 66 per cent, The Wolf thinks the swirly conditions in Wellington will cause problems for their goal kickers and in a close match, that could be the difference.
Odds:
Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $1.90
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Blake Ayshford at $10.00
Teams:
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Gerard Beale 21. Blake Ayshford 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papalii 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita 18. Adam Pompey 20. Ligi Sao
Sharks: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Kurt Capewell 21. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Paul Gallen 14. Blayke Brailey 15. Jack Williams 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Matt Prior 18. Billy Magoulias 20. Will Kennedy
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change