Wednesday 30 May 2012

NOT The Footy Show Episode 109 - Round 13 NRL Preview Podcast 2012

Biggest impact prop in the NRL? NOT The Footy Show reveals which big bopper tops the class in 2012.

Get NOT The Footy Show Episode 109 and prepare for moderate entertainment as Warrick Nicolson, DC Chapman and George Taylor take you through the issues of the week and preview Round 13 in full.

We talk Matai's slightly flawed defensive 'technique', Are the Broncos in trouble? Can anyone catch Melbourne for the Minor Premiership and Where in the world is Nic McInerney?

Also in Episode 109 we delve back into the Feedback Files - so if you want to give us some feedback on Twitter, Facebook or iTunes - feel free to tell us why exactly you listen to NOT The Footy Show?

NOT The Footy Show is what the cool kids call... 'gravy' and just 53 minutes long this week.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 109
Round 13 NRL Preview - Released Wednesday May 30, 2012
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

NOT The Footy Show will release another Podcast next Wednesday night - June 6 with our State of Origin Game 2 and Round 14 Preview Show.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

LIKE the show on Facebook for all the latest updates.

Friday 25 May 2012

NRL 2012: Round 12 NRL Preview Tips Teams Predictions Late Mail Podcast Odds

NRL ROUND 12 TIPPING PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson 

So much for Queensland winning fairly huh?

Ok so that was just some bait to see if anyone would bite but it was a shame to see a quality Origin game overshadowed by a video ref blunder that just seemed to reinvent the rule book on the run... anyhoo - don't forget the facts - QLD led by 2 at the time of the Inglis 'try'. There's plenty to talk about coming out of QLD's 18-10 win in Origin 1 so grab out podcast below and have a listen.

As for Round 12 - seven games on the schedule and a cracker on Friday night with the table topping Storm and Broncos going at each other in 'sunny' Melbourne. Thanks for visiting www.wdnicolson.com for your previews - our apologies it is on Friday this week but Origin threw out our timeline for production as we're sure you understand.

For more on how we see the Weekend unfolding, check out the Podcast and Preview below.

For game-specific Late Mail every week - check back on Friday (or if there's an earlier game, earlier) for all your tipping and fantasy game needs.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 108
Round 12 NRL Preview and Origin 1 Recap - Released Thursday May 24, 2012 
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

NOT The Footy Show will release another Podcast next Wednesday night - May 31 with our Round 13 Preview Show.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

1st Prize: NRL Match Steeden Ball. 2nd to 5th: NTFS Club Mascot T-Shirts.
NRL ROUND 12 PREVIEW - 2012
25/05 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
For some more insight into the markets check out NOT The Footy Show's new resident tipster's site GT Tips http://www.gttips.co.uk
All Kick-Offs are LOCAL time.


FRIDAY - MAY 25
STORM $1.45 v $2.85 BRONCOS 
BRI +6.5 | GAME STATS | @ AAMI Park, Melbourne. 7:45pm Kick-Off.

NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD VOTERS
M Duncan and M Vickers. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
TBA
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
TBA
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

MEL: B Slater, M Duffie, D Nielsen, W Chambers, J O’Neill, G Widdop, C Cronk, J Bromwich, C Smith (c), J Ryles, B Norrie, R Hinchcliffe, T Lowrie.
Bench: A Quinn, R Kostjasyn, M Greenfield, J Lowe, L Kelly, M Blair, K Bromwich.
[Team Changes - The Storm name Smith, Slater and Cronk, while Ryan Hoffman misses with a calf strain. As a result Bryan Norrie starts in the second row, while Michael Greenfield, Luke Kelly, Maurice Blair and Kenny Bromwich are on an extended bench to cover the Origin stars. ]

BRI: J Hoffman, G Beale, J Reed, M Gillett, D Copley, C Norman, P Wallace, S Anderson, A McCullough, J McGuire, A Glenn, B Te’o, C Parker (c).
Bench: B Hunt, D Hala, D Lui, M Dodds.
[Team Changes - The Broncos will once again adopt their 'start in Origin = don't backup' policy with Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant and Petero Civoniceva not named to play two days after Origin 1. But Matt Gillett is in the centres after only being a reserve for Queensland. Scott Anderson and Josh McGuire start at prop, while Ben Te'o comes in for Thaiday in the second row. David Hala, Dunamis Lui and Mitchell Dodds will travel to Melbourne but don't be shocked if one or two of the Queensland stars actually backup. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast for a full preview, but we like the Storm in a game that lacks some star power given Brisbane decided to rest Thaiday, Civoniceva and Hodges. If Storm hold Brisbane early, the Broncos bench might be somewhat of a let-down (not that the storm bench is anything special mind you).
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - The Storm Big 3 will all play, although there is talk Cameron Smith comes off the bench and Ryan Hinchcliffe goes to hooker. That only makes sense if Sika Manu makes his return from an ankle injury as no player on the Storm bench screams 'start me' in the backrow outside of maybe Michael Greenfield. The Broncos rest Sam Thaiday, Petero Civoniceva and Justin Hodges, and backup Ben Hannant and Matt Gillett. Mitchell Dodds or Dunamis Lui will make way for Hannant's return, while Scott Anderson will move to the bench.
THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
STORM by 6.

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Thursday 24 May 2012

NOT The Footy Show Episode 108 - Round 12 NRL Preview and Origin 1 Recap Podcast 2012

Pity about Hampstead... Origin 1 ruined by worst decision in State of Origin history but remember QLD led by 2 points at the time.

Get the entire Origin 1 low-down - remember bias is not our business - in NOT The Footy Show Episode 108 with Warrick Nicolson, DC Chapman, Maria Tsialis and the victorious QLDer Matthew Duncan.

Plus George Taylor joins us to go through all the odds and predictions for Round 12 - always a popular segment. And then there's Eyes dropping in for his hit and miss tips.

Also in Episode 108 we delve into the Feedback Files - so if you want to give us some feedback on Twitter, Facebook or iTunes - feel free tell us why the heck you listen to NOT The Footy Show?

NOT The Footy Show is good and terrible most weeks - take a chance that it's the former this episode which is just 78 minutes long.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 108
Round 12 NRL Preview and Origin 1 Recap - Released Thursday May 24, 2012
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

NOT The Footy Show will release another Podcast next Wednesday night - May 31 with our Round 13 Preview Show.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

LIKE the show on Facebook for all the latest updates

State of Origin 2012: Queensland win Game 1... pity about Hampstead.

STATE OF ORIGIN 2012
QLD 18 defeat NSW 10 in Game 1
By W D Nicolson, May 23, 2012


NSW 10 - 18 QLD
Pity about Sean Hampstead...

In this day and age you'd think that with enough replays a video ref could pick up a simple error... but in this day in age a video ref is looking for so much doubt so they can award a try - they forget to look for the simple error that can make their decision easy in the first place.

That's what happened in the final 10 minutes of State of Origin 1 in Melbourne on Wednesday night, when a ridiculous and flat out wrong (www.wdnicolson.com believes in objectivity and that's as objective as we can describe the incident) decision by Sean Hampstead ruined what had - up until that point - been a cracking Origin opener for 2012.

Queensland went on to win the game 18-10 but sadly, the quality of their (and NSW's performance) will be lost due to an unforgivable error by Hampstead not to actually look for an error.

Now it is important - vitally so - to point out that when Greg Inglis 'touched down' for his Origin record 13th try in the 73rd minute, that Queensland led NSW 12-10. Yes by 2 points with 7 minutes left.

Queensland aren't behind, they aren't even with the Blues - QUEENSLAND LEAD BY 2 POINTS.

But the game wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

The decision by Hampstead to not even look for the contact that the ball had with the left arm of Inglis AFTER Robbie Farah had - rightly or wrongly - dislodged the ball from Inglis's grasp after a Cooper Cronk cross kick had been knocked back by Billy Slater near the line - wrecked a superb game of Rugby League.

NOT The Footy Show's NSW and QLD Game 1 Review will be released on Thursday May 24th via an iTunes Podcast. Subscribe to the Podcast here.

Now in no way am I saying NSW would or should have won the game, but that decision to ignore the clear evidence - essentially I am declaring that Hampstead was so busy trying to decide if Farah's foot contact was intentional or not, that he didn't even look for the second touch by Inglis - did stop NSW from having a chance at winning the game in the final minutes.

It should cost Hampstead his job... if only for a few weeks given the NRL Ref heirachy is prone to such action - and he'll never video referee another game of Origin - you should almost be sure of that.

And before Queenslanders or simply the delusional try to point out that NSW Coach Ricky Stuart agreed with the decision - please watch the press conference, take into account his demeanour and open 'I will not be making any comments on the refereeing' and realise that Stuart is deliberately saying the opposite to what he thinks because in it's own way - it says more than 'the video ref is a cheat' will ever do for his or NSW's reputation.

Anyhoo... the game itself was a cracker - Player Ratings below - well a cracker for 73 minutes at least... let's hope Game 2 is officiated a little more correctly.

And for 80 minutes (or more?) we get a game like we saw for 73 minutes tonight.

Congratulations Queensland.

What did you make of the match? What should Sean Hampstead's next profession be?

If you've got a view - let us know in the comments below or via @NRLTweet

Game 2 is 8:00pm on Wednesday June 14 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.


For the record on Tuesday: www.wdnicolson.com predicted an 18-12 QLD victory


OFFICIAL ORIGIN 1 RESULT - May 23 2012 in Melbourne.
QLD 18 (D Boyd 2, G Inglis Tries; J Thurston 3/3 Goals)
Defeated
NSW 10 (A Uate, M Jennings Tries; T Carney 1/3 Goals)
Official Man of the Match: Nate Myles (QLD)
@NRLTweet PLAYER RATINGS GAME ONE
QUEENSLAND MAROONS
FB: Billy SLATER 7
WI: Darius BOYD 8
CE: Greg INGLIS 7.5
CE: Justin HODGES 6
WI: Brent TATE 8.5
FE: Johnathan THURSTON 7.5
HB: Cooper CRONK 8
PR: Matthew SCOTT 5.5
HK: Cameron SMITH (c) 7
PR: Petero CIVONICEVA 7
SR: Nate MYLES 8
SR: Sam THAIDAY 7
LK: Ashley HARRISON 8
Bench:
Matt GILLETT 6.5
Ben HANNANT 6
David SHILLINGTON 5
Dave TAYLOR 5
Coach: Mal MENINGA
QUICK HIT PLAYER REVIEW ANALYSIS:
The Good: QLD's forwards tackled their guts out - Myles, Harrison, Smith dug in. Cronk's kicking game was great, Inglis a beast even if he did eventually knock on, Slater with some class and some barry crockers, Everyone was talking Tate, JT moment or two of quality + goalkicking, Petero not past it, Gillett useful. 
The Bad: Scott short of a quality run, bar Gillett QLD's bench struggled to get into the game esp rolling forward, Hodges quiet, Thaiday being Thaiday. Meninga claiming the journos were 'searching for controversy' re: the Inglis try - go back to politics big Mal!
NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES 
FB: Brett STEWART 6.5
WI: Jarryd HAYNE 7.5
CE: Michael JENNINGS 7.5
CE: Josh MORRIS 6
WI: Akuila UATE 6.5
FE: Todd CARNEY 5
HB: Mitchell PEARCE 7
PR: James TAMOU 8
HK: Robbie FARAH 8.5
PR: Paul GALLEN (c) 8.5
SR: Greg BIRD 8
SR: Luke LEWIS 6
LK: Glenn STEWART 7
Bench:
Jamie BUHRER Did he even take the field? 4
Ben CREAGH 4.5
Trent MERRIN 7
Tony WILLIAMS 6
Coach: Ricky STUART
QUICK HIT PLAYER REVIEW ANALYSIS:
The Good: Farah superb, Jennings and Hayne a constant threat, Bird and Tamou big impact, Gallen excellent, Glenn Stewart, Merrin and Pearce good. 
Uate 50/50 good/bad.
The Bad: Carney a step behind all night, Brett Stewart forgot what support play is, Ricky Stuart's use of interchanges, Morris doesn't know how to tackle below the chest (and he can't tackle above it either), Williams wasted, Creagh out of position and impotent, Lewis played busted and Buhrer... Buhrer.... anyone seen Buhrer?

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Origin: Top 10 NSW v QLD Game Day Traditions

STATE OF ORIGIN
TOP TEN GAME DAY TRADITIONS
By W D Nicolson, May 23, 2012
The Top 10 Rules for any True Supporter when watching the game.
We wrote these last year but are bringing them out again for the 2012 Origin Series that starts tonight. 

At Number TEN...
On Origin Game Day... No item of clothing can be worn if features the colours of your opposing state... this includes underwear and spot checks on suspect individuals should be carried out before kick-off, so no one is risking a jinx.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

State of Origin 2012: NSW v QLD Game 1 Preview

STATE OF ORIGIN 2012
NSW v QLD GAME 1 PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson, May 22, 2012
Let's get it on...

The wait is over ladies and gents, in less than 24 hour Queensland will start their quest for an incredible 7th straight Origin series win, while New South Wales will be trying to win their first Game 1 since 2008.

Of course Darren Lockyer has retired, but Queensland will return all bar Corey Parker and Jacob Lillyman from the team that sealed the 2011 series with a comprehensive smashing of the Blues in Game 3 in Brisbane.

As for the Blues - changes abound but for the first time in years - they are positive point seeking changes that NSW have ignored for far too many years.

But the bottom line is this - Queensland's team of champions have been playing together for years and this new group of NSW attacking weapons will be playing together for pretty much the first time at this level - a team like NSW has won series in the past in huge upsets but right at the moment daring to dream that the Blues can win Game 1 and heap the pressure on Queensland is just a little fanciful at this stage.

Though if the Blues get up in Game 1 - consider www.wdnicolson.com well and truly on the NSW train!

That's not to say we can't see NSW winning the series - far from it, this team is the best NSW have had since Joey Johns retired from rep footy - but let's just say we've been burnt before...

Game 1 kicks-off at around 8:00pm on Wednesday May 23 at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 107
NSW v QLD Game 1 Predictions - Released Monday May 21, 2012
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

GAME 1 PREDICTIONS

On the latest episode of NOT The Footy Show's NRL Podcast (Subscribe here to get the 40 minute long Episode 107) our panel revealed their 'cutting edge' State of Origin Game 1 Predictions across 14 categories.

There's the basic ones - 1st tryscorer, HT/FT score, Man of the Match etc, then we have our patented (and borrowed heavily from the US version of PTI) Over/Unders for special categories pertaining to the game.

FULL TIME SCORE

Warrick Nicolson - QLD 18-12
Matthew Duncan - QLD 30-10
Dave Chapman - NSW 16-12
Maria Tsialis - QLD 20-14
George Taylor - QLD 28-20

HALF TIME SCORE

Warrick Nicolson - QLD 12-6
Matthew Duncan - QLD 18-6
Dave Chapman - NSW 12-6
Maria Tsialis - QLD 10-6
George Taylor - QLD 20-10

MAN OF THE MATCH

Warrick Nicolson - Cameron Smith
Matthew Duncan - Greg Inglis
Dave Chapman - Todd Carney
Maria Tsialis - Cameron Smith
George Taylor - Greg Inglis

1ST TRYSCORER

Warrick Nicolson - Justin Hodges
Matthew Duncan - Greg Inglis
Dave Chapman - Akuila Uate
Maria Tsialis - Greg Inglis
George Taylor - Greg Inglis

LAST TRYSCORER

Warrick Nicolson - Billy Slater
Matthew Duncan - Greg Inglis
Dave Chapman - James Tamou
Maria Tsialis - Michael Jennings
George Taylor - Josh Morris

1ST ERROR MADE

Warrick Nicolson - Johnathan Thurston
Matthew Duncan - Todd Carney
Dave Chapman - Brett Stewart
Maria Tsialis - Robbie Farah
George Taylor - Michael Jennings

1ST PENALTY CONCEDED

Warrick Nicolson - Greg Bird
Matthew Duncan - Paul Gallen
Dave Chapman - Nate Myles
Maria Tsialis - James Tamou
George Taylor - Nate Myles

MOST TACKLES

Warrick Nicolson - Cameron Smith
Matthew Duncan - Ashley Harrison
Dave Chapman - Cameron Smith
Maria Tsialis - Paul Gallen
George Taylor - Cameron Smith

MOST METRES

Warrick Nicolson - Paul Gallen
Matthew Duncan - Paul Gallen
Dave Chapman - Sam Thaiday
Maria Tsialis - Paul Gallen
George Taylor - Akuila Uate

OVER/UNDER OPTIONS
Simply put you decide if the player in question will have more or less than the predetermined figure - set at a half point.

JAMIE BUHRER - Over/Under 5.5 Total Minutes

Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Under
Dave Chapman - Over
Maria Tsialis - Under
George Taylor - Over

PETERO CIVONICEVA - Over/Under 27.5 Total Minutes

Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Over
Dave Chapman - Under
Maria Tsialis - Over
George Taylor - Over

TODD CARNEY - Over/Under 1.5 Total Tries + Try Assists

Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Under
Dave Chapman - Over
Maria Tsialis - Over
George Taylor - Over

BILLY SLATER - Over/Under 1.5 Total Tries + Try Assists

Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Over
Dave Chapman - Over
Maria Tsialis - Over
George Taylor - Over

TOTAL PENALTIES - Over/Under 6.5

Warrick Nicolson - Over
Matthew Duncan - Over
Dave Chapman - Under
Maria Tsialis - Under
George Taylor - Over


For the record www.wdnicolson.com is predicting an 18-12 QLD victory.
QLD 18 (J Hodges, C Cronk, B Slater Tries; J Thurston 3/3 Goals)
Defeat
NSW 12 (J Morris, L Lewis Tries; T Carney 2/2 Goals)
If you would like to take a crack at our panellists picks with your own - enter them here on NOT The Footy Show's Facebook Page before kick-off Wednesday.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 107 - Origin 1 Predictions and Round 11 NRL Review Podcast 2012

Will Joseph Leilua sport blue tips on the bench for Origin 1?
NSW v QLD Game 1 Predictions including Buhrer, Petero, Slater and Carney Over/Unders plus a thousand more expert picks for Origin 1.

NOT The Footy Show veterans Warrick Nicolson and Matthew Duncan deliver their prognostications for State of Origin Game 1 as well as breaking down Round 11 of the NRL and briefly discussing why the NRL has to address attendance at games in light of the passion Melbournians show towards that 'other' code.

Also in Episode 107 we are asking our loyal listeners to give us a shout out on Twitter, Facebook or iTunes and tell us why the heck you listen to NOT The Footy Show?

NOT The Footy Show is almost the perfect size this week at 40 minutes long - and we guarantee at least one correct prediction for Wednesday night or your money back.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 107
Round 11 NRL Recap and NSW v QLD Game 1 Predictions - Released Monday May 21, 2012

Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

NOT The Footy Show will release another Podcast on Thursday night - May 24 with our comprehensive review of Origin 1 with Matt Duncan, DC Chapman and Warrick Nicolson.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

LIKE the show on Facebook for all the latest updates.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

NOT The Footy Show Episode 106 - Origin 1 Preview and Round 11 NRL Preview Podcast 2012

NSW Legend Paul Sironen talks State of Origin Game 1 and what it means to be a New South Welshman.

NOT The Footy Show has delivered another huge guest at the best time of the season - hear how he learned about Origin the hard way, cut down the 'Axe' Trevor Gillmeister in an Origin game in Melbourne and enjoyed his role in the Blues dynasty from 90-94. It's a great chat with a passionate Cockroach - please take a listen.

So join Warrick Nicolson and DC Chapman - plus a quick look at the teams from a Queenslander we tolerate called Matt Duncan, as they talk Origin 1 Teams - Predictions, Game Plans, NSW Snubs, and also find time to preview Round 11 and talk some NRL News on NOT The Footy Show Episode 106.

NOT The Footy Show is moderately priced footy goodness.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 106
State of Origin Game 1 and Round 11 Preview - Released Wednesday May 16, 2012
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

NOT The Footy Show will release another Podcast next Monday night - May 21 with our comprehensive tip guide to Origin 1 with Matt Duncan and Warrick Nicolson.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link / Download mp3 version

Where the 'Buhrer' reference comes from...

Tuesday 15 May 2012

NRL 2012: Round 11 NRL Preview Tips Teams Predictions Late Mail Fantasy News Odds

NRL ROUND 11 TIPPING PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson 

Okay so Origin is really all that matters at this time of year but if I stop producing this all encompassing Round Preview you'd just get poorly informed elsewhere.

Even though www.wdnicolson.com is off to Melbourne this weekend - that means you get the preview two days early! It'll be updated with Late Mail Thursday and Friday, and the Podcast featuring our Origin Preview with NSW legend Paul Sironen will be available on Wednesday night.

That all sounds great... if only we didn't tip so badly last weekend after three weeks of great form...

For more on how we see the Weekend unfolding, check out the Podcast and Preview below.

For game-specific Late Mail every week - check back on Friday (or if there's an earlier game, earlier) for all your tipping and fantasy game needs.

NOT The Footy Show Episode 106
WITH PAUL SIRONEN OUR SPECIAL GUEST!
State of Origin Game 1 and Round 11 Preview - Released Wednesday May 16, 2012
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.

NOT The Footy Show airs again next Monday night - May 21 with our comprehensive tip guide to Origin 1 with Matt Duncan and Warrick Nicolson - airs at 9:35pm.

Subscribe to the Podcast via this link /  Download mp3 version

1st Prize: NRL Match Steeden Ball. 2nd to 5th: NTFS Club Mascot T-Shirts.
NRL ROUND 11 PREVIEW - 2012
15/05 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
For some more insight into the markets check out NOT The Footy Show's new resident tipster's site GT Tips http://www.gttips.co.uk
All Kick-Offs are LOCAL time.


FRIDAY - MAY 18
TIGERS $1.80 v $2.00 WARRIORS 
WAR +1.5 | GAME STATS | @ Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt. 7:35pm Kick-Off.

NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD VOTERS
M Spillane and M Vickers. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Tigers are 4-5 and 9th, Warriors are 5-5 and 8th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
Tigers 4 Warriors 6
Tigers have won 3 of last 4 - but that Warriors win came in the semi final last year.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

WTG: T Moltzen, B Ryan, J Reddy, B Ayshford, L Tuqiri, C Lawrence, B Marshall, A Woods, T Humble, K Galloway, A Blair, L Fulton, M Bell.
Bench: B Murdoch-Masila, M Utai, R Cashmere, P Politoni.
[Team Changes - The Tigers have lost Robbie Farah (to Origin finally!) and Tom Humble will start at hooker and Chris Lawrence continues at five-eighth. Matt Utai and Pat Politoni are added to the bench with Junior Moors missing out. ]

WAR: G Fisiiahi, B Tupou, B Henry, K Hurrell, M Vatuvei, J Maloney, S Johnson, R Packer, A Mara, B Matulino, E Taylor, S Mannering (c), F Mateo.
Bench: L Brown, Sam Rapira, Sione Lousi, J Lillyman.
[Team Changes - The Warriors aren't touched by Origin with Jacob Lillyman and Feleti Mateo failing to get call ups to QLD or NSW. Sam Rapira returns from an ankle injury on the bench for Ukuma Ta'ai, while Glen Fisiiahi goes to fullback after the season ending injury to Jerome Ropati. Lewis Brown and Alehana Mara will share time at hooker once again. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast for a full preview, but we like the Warriors at this stage - Farah is a gigantic loss for the Tigers who still don't have Ellis or Heighington.
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - The Tigers should be 1-17 with Matt Utai back from injury, Chris Heighington won't be rushed back until the next week or two. Pita Godinet is the travelling 18th man for the Warriors who get Sam Rapira back from an ankle injury - and he could start for Russell Packer.
THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Warriors by 8.

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