Mt Smart Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 25 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday August 18, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Where: Mt Smart Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview

The Warriors can all but seal a top-four spot with a victory at home on Friday night, while Manly must win to have any chance of squeaking into the playoffs.

Riding a five-match streak and winning eight of their last nine for just the second time in their history, the Warriors have been a bit shaky in their last few games.

After defying a late collapse to beat Canberra in golden point and holding off a 12-man Gold Coast, they were unconvincing in a 30-22 win over last-placed Wests Tigers on Saturday. The Tigers split them open like few teams have in 2023, but Addin Fonua-Blake’s monster display and Shaun Johnson’s class got them home.

The Warriors get influential fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back, while Bunty Afoa replaces the injured Mitch Barnett up front. In a huge boost, hooker Wayde Egan (throat) has been cleared.

The Sea Eagles are three points outside the Top 8 after back-to-back losses to the Roosters (26-16) and Panthers (24-12). They need to win all three of their remaining games and hope other results go their way.

They made five line-breaks to the Panthers’ three last Thursday but were unable to capitalise, with Daly Cherry-Evans looking a one-man band in the playmaking department at times. Josh Schuster drifts out of games for long periods, while Reuben Garrick – reliable as he is – is no Tom Trbojevic at fullback.

Brad Parker and Ben Trbojevic have been ruled out for Manly, with Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi coming into the starting side, and Jake Arthur joining the bench.

The Sea Eagles have won the teams’ last three matches, including a 44-12 drubbing at 4 Pines Park in their sole 2022 meeting. They’ve also won four of their last five in Auckland, though the Warriors prevailed in the last clash their in 2019.

Daly Cherry-Evans has made an art form of tormenting the Warriors – including three match-winning field goals – and he would have been a keen observer of the way Daine Laurie exposed their left edge last week.

The Warriors’ only losses this season to teams outside the current Top 8 were both to the Roosters in the opening nine rounds. They are 5-2 at Mt Smart in 2023 and it’s another sellout as the ground is renamed Daniel Anderson Stadium for the night.

The hosts should find a way again, but it’s win or bust for the Sea Eagles and they are getting a massive head-start here.

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