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After off-field drama, some on-field action

David Long david.long@stuff.co.nz

In other news, the Warriors have a game to play today.

For the sports media, the NRL is often described as the gift that keeps on giving as there’s always one controversy after another and this week the Warriors have played their part in it, with the continued fallout over Matt Lodge’s sudden departure.

While this has all be played out over back pages and sports bulletins over the week, there has been the important job of getting ready for today’s game against the Knights to deal with.

For the Warriors, who have lost five of their last six games, getting two points against the Knights is crucial.

The Knights rival the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers as the worst team in the NRL this season and if the Warriors lose today, then they could be regarded as being just as bad as those clubs.

If they win, then top eight hopes remain alive. So even though we’re only into round 12, for this game, a win is vital for the Warriors.

‘‘Everyone outside the eight at the moment is saying that,’’ said Warriors assistant coach Justin Morgan.

‘‘But we’ve seen so many times in the past that when you do get on a run you can skip past a lot of teams.

‘‘We’re not table-watching as such, but the realistic nature of it is that we have to start winning some games.

‘‘We’re in a hole at the moment, even though there has been some good parts to our games, but we’re not nailing it, so the next month is going to be crucial.’’

Tohu Harris has been named to play as an edge forward for this game, with Jack Murchie at lock, while Jazz Tevaga is a starting prop.

However, even though that’s how they’re listed on the team sheet, Morgan says the reality could be different.

‘‘Tohu is likely to play in the middle the majority of the time,’’ he said.

‘‘Jazz plays in the middle, whether it’s 13, 8 or 10. They pretty much have a similar role apart from kick offs with where they stand.

‘‘I told Jazz it’s heavy carrying around that No 10 jersey and have had a bit of a joke with him this week about that.

At a glance

What: NRL

Who: Warriors v Knights

Where, when: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe; 5pm today

Warriors: Reece Walsh, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Viliame Vailea, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Shaun Johnson; Ben Murdoch-Masila, Freddy Lussick, Jazz Tevaga, Euan Aitken, Tohu Harris (c), Jack Murchie. Interchange: Taniela Otukolo, Aaron Pene, Bunty Afoa, Dunamis Lui. Reserves: Jesse Arthars, Eliesa Katoa.

Kalyn Ponga, Edrick Lee, Dane Gagai, Enari Tuala, Dominic Young, Anthony Milford, Jake Clifford; David Klemmer, Chris Randall, Daniel Saifiti, Tyson Frizzell, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitchell Barnett. Interchange: Phoenix Crossland, Jacob Saifiti, Leo Thompson, Mat Croker. Reserves (from): Simi Sasagi, Brodie Jones, Tex Hoy, Sauaso Sue, Pasami Saulo, Krystian Mapapalangi, Brayden Musgrove.

‘‘But he’s been very consistent for us, he’s played a number of different roles and we thought he was exceptional last week with his work around the ruck. It’s good to have

him starting the game and having Freddy Lussick playing that specialist role at No 9.’’

Dunamis Lui has been named on the interchange bench, with Eliesa

Katoa slipping out of the 17.

The 32-year-old Lui was recently signed from the Redcliffe Dolphins, having left the Raiders at the end of last season. With Lodge gone and Addin Fonua-Blake injured, he’ll immediately become a valuable player.

‘‘He’s going to bring experience,’’ Morgan said.

‘‘He’s quite mobile, he has a similar body shape to Bunty [Afoa], stocky, has good hands.

‘‘He does all the basics well, he’s played a fair chunk of NRL games, he played State of Origin a couple of years ago and appeared in a grand final for Canberra.

‘‘You can tell he’s an NRL player and it’s great that we’ve been able to give him an opportunity to continue his NRL career.’’

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2022-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282050510689268

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