KEY POINTS:
The Warriors have brought in Patrick Ah Van to replace injured Manu Vatuvei and have vice-captain Ruben Wiki back in the pack for their playoff at Mt Smart on Friday night.
To underline what winning means, 14,000 tickets went on sale to the public at 9am yesterday. They
were gone within an hour, to ensure a 29,000 sell-out. Last year the Warriors' average crowd was just over 8800. Scalpers have been seeking $100 for $55 seats.
The Eels will use the same 17 that thrashed Brisbane 68-22, making one positional switch. They have brought Feleti Mateo into the starting line-up to provide impact at lock, relegating experienced utility Daniel Wagon to the bench, and have no injury concerns.
The Warriors have lost significant strike power without Jerome Ropati and Vatuvei - both near the top of their try-scorers' list. Ropati can also be counted on for solid, midfield defence. The Eels are sure to target the right side, defended by Todd Byrne and Michael Crockett, and also the far left, singling out Ah Van, who plays his 11th game this season and first since the win over the Titans on August 11.
"We're confident Ruben will be fine for Friday night and Patrick has had quite a lot of experience at NRL level [27 games], especially on the wing," said coach Ivan Cleary.
Crockett was in court in Sydney yesterday to face two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, relating to an allegation from a woman following the Warriors' draw with the Roosters on August 5. Magistrate David Heilpern continued bail and granted a request by lawyer Geoff Bellew that Crockett, 24, need not return for his next appearance on November 13, another call-over date. The case is unlikely to be heard until next year.
Bellew, a director of the Manly club, will represent their weekend opponent Souths' second-rower David Fa'alogo at the NRL judiciary tonight, when he denies a grade-four striking charge. Fa'alogo faces a seven-week ban - which would rule him out of test selection - after slugging Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta after what he claims was a choking, grapple tackle. Bellew has taken seven cases to the judicial panel this season and in six, charges have been thrown out or reduced in severity.
The Bulldogs will fight the severity of Sonny Bill Williams' high tackle count for a hit on Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston. Williams is charged with grade-two striking and, with demerit points for a previous offence, faces two weeks out and a three-week ban. The Dogs will argue it should have been a lesser, grade-one charge which, with penalty points, would keep Williams out just this weekend.
The Broncos' slim chance of beating the Storm in Melbourne at the weekend have slumped with news that fullback Karmichael Hunt will not return. Hunt aggravated a hamstring injury and a scan confirmed he will be out for the season, including the Wellington test. Justin Hodges (groin) and Tonie Carroll (shoulder) face fitness tests.
Friday night's curtain-raiser is the major semifinal of the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial premiership, between Richmond and Manurewa (6.15pm). The winner faces Papakura in the grand final.