KEY POINTS:
Just as in Melbourne last weekend, the halves again loom as the danger area for the Warriors when they play away to Manly on Sunday.
The Warriors yesterday named the same 17 that lost to Melbourne, with just one positional change, bringing Nathan Fien up from the bench
to start and relegating George Gatis.
Last year's regular No 6 Jerome Ropati is likely to return for game five against North Queensland. Meanwhile Manly are sure to test Michael Witt, who was released from the Sea Eagles a year ahead of his contract expiry date when the Warriors made an approach.
The Sea Eagles named the same side that beat the Roosters 30-8 but there is the suggestion regular halfback Matt Orford will be back after missing last weekend with a knee medial ligament injury. His kicking game and partnership with the solid Jamie Lyon at centre poses the Eagles biggest attacking threat. Travis Burns at five-eighth has been a rapid improver for the Eagles and too much attention to Orford or fill-in halfback Michael Monaghan and Lyon will encourage him to run.
Their back row is also dangerous, with veteran Steve Menzies also expected to return this weekend after time off with a groin/abdominal strain.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said the Fien/Gatis swap was to try a different combination to start after the unhappy opening in Melbourne.
Sunday's game is the 150th for Logan Swann as a Warrior, behind only Stacey Jones (238) and Awen Guttenbeil (170). The Warriors won their last game at Brookvale Oval, Jones' last, 22-20 and have won six of 11 games against the Eagles.
The Auckland Lions play Manly's reserve grade in the opener, negating the need for an 18th man so Todd Byrne goes back to the Lions, with another Warriors wing, Cooper Vuna, returning from injury.
Brookvale Oval, 4pm Sunday
NZ Warriors
1 Wade McKinnon
2 Michael Crockett
3 Tony Martin
4 Lance Hohaia
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Michael Witt
7 Grant Rovelli
8 Ruben Wiki
9 Nathan Fien
10 Steve Price (c)
11 Simon Mannering
12 Logan Swann
13 Micheal Luck
Interchange: George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira.
Sea Eagles
1 Brett Stewart
2 Michael Robertson
3 Steve Bell
4 Jamie Lyon
5 Chris Hicks
6 Travis Burns
7 Michael Monaghan
8 Jason King
9 Matt Ballin
10 Brent Kite (c)
11 Anthony Watmough
12 Glenn Stewart
13 Luke Williamson
Interchange: Clint Halden, Glenn Hall, George Rose, Mark Bryant.