KEY POINTS:
The Warriors could lose centre Jerome Ropati to injury while the Sea Eagles might be without prop Josh Perry through suspension when the sides meet in Manly on Monday.
Ropati has had an outstanding start to the season and, if he can't play, he'll be missed not just for his work in midfield but also because his absence would mean a change in combination and perhaps a slip in cohesion.
But the torn ankle Ropati suffered in last weekend's win over the Eels is not as bad as first feared and he will be given until the last minute to make the 17 for Monday night's game. The side named yesterday is that which beat Parramatta. Wairangi Koopu will travel as cover.
Perry will be out for one week if he loses his case against a head butting charge at the NRL judiciary tonight. He has denied butting the Knights' Danny Wicks as the Eagles went down in Newcastle.
The charge might have been more severe but for the sledging throughout the game, said match reviewer Greg McCallum, and the fact Perry effectively missed his target and hit Wicks in the mouth. "We also took into account that there had been a fair amount of gossip during the game. We were also satisfied that it was a minor thrust of the head, not your traditional-style head butt."
So Perry is on the bench in the Manly side named yesterday, their 17 unchanged despite the loss. Centre David Vaeliki is in doubt after suffering concussion last week. Kiwi Steve Matai won't replace him, still struggling with a back and neck strain.
There were five players charged by the match review committee after round two. Sharks prop Ben Ross will go to the judiciary tonight to defend himself in the face of a lengthy suspension for an elbow hit on Storm halfback Cooper Cronk.
The NRL prosecution has signalled its intention to seek a ban of up to 10 weeks by referring the matter straight to the panel, without laying a charge which would carry an automatic sentence.
Storm prop Brett White, who hit Ross in retaliation, will sit out three weeks on a striking charge. Ashley Graham will miss the Cowboys-Broncos game for the shoulder charge that KO'd Wests Brett Hodgson.
Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt will appear to defend a grade-three careless high tackle at the judiciary.
The Bulldogs have dropped Reni Maitua from their team to play Wests after he was involved in a fight at a Sydney nightclub in the early hours of Monday. Sonny Bill Williams returns.
NZ Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Patrick Ah Van, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki (c), Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck; interchange Ian Henderson, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sonny Fai, Wairangi Koopu 18th man.
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, David Vaealiki, Michael Bani, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (c), Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Steve Menzies; interchange Luke Williamson, Josh Perry, Adam Cuthbertson, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange.
