Warriors prepare for Tigers clash with key player changes

By Charlotte Reid — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Team Updates for Warriors and Tigers

The One New Zealand Warriors will face the Wests Tigers tonight at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm local time, which is 10:00 pm NZT. The Warriors will be without Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell, who are resting after their State of Origin duties. Both players were initially named in the Warriors’ 22-man squad but were omitted on Thursday morning. Barnett played 38 minutes for the Blues, and Capewell played 50 minutes for the Maroons in the recent State of Origin match where New South Wales secured a 30-12 victory over Queensland.

With Barnett and Capewell out, the Warriors have added Morgan Gannon, an ex-Leeds Rhinos second-rower, to their bench. Gannon’s only first-grade appearance this season was in round three, and he has scored three tries in six games for the club’s New South Wales Cup side. The Warriors will see the return of co-captain James Fisher-Harris, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since the 18-20 loss to Penrith on May 31. Second-rower Leka Halasima also returns from a hamstring injury sustained in the same match.

Winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is set to make his return from a thigh injury that kept him out of recent matches against the Cowboys and Dolphins. Khan-Pereira has scored nine tries in eight appearances this season. However, the Warriors will be without leading try-scorer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has 16 tries in 15 appearances, due to a hamstring injury picked up against the Dolphins. Other players on the extended bench for the Warriors include Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Demitric Vaimauga, Marata Niukore, Luke Metcalf, and former Wests Tigers player Luke Laulilii, who has signed a short-term deal.

Wests Tigers Line-up and Recent Form

The Wests Tigers are looking to improve their position on the ladder after a recent struggle, including a defeat to the Dragons last weekend. They will be boosted by the return of skipper Jarome Luai, who is back from a concussion. Luai replaces Jock Madden, who will play in the NSW Cup. Josese Lanyon has been named at hooker in place of injured captain Api Koroisau, who is expected to be out for a month with a pectoral injury. Back-rower Samuela Fainu is also set to return from a foot injury sustained in Round 9.

The Wests Tigers have lost their last three consecutive matches against the Dolphins, Knights, and Dragons. When the two teams last met in round four at Go Media Stadium, the Wests Tigers secured a 32-14 victory. The Tigers are currently 12th on the ladder, while the Warriors are second with 26 points, alongside the Roosters and Knights.

Match Officials and Key Players

The match officials for the game include Wyatt Raymond as referee, Kasey Badger as touch judge, and Chris Butler as senior review official.

Key players for the Wests Tigers include fullback Jahream Bula, who has scored three tries in his last three games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, and halfback Adam Doueihi, who has scored five tries in his last four games. For the Warriors, winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has scored seven tries in his last six games. The Warriors’ halves pairing of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita has developed a strong combination this season.

The Wests Tigers have won only one of their past eight games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, while the Warriors have won nine of their last 10 games against the Tigers.

The Warriors remain second on the ladder with 26 points.

Source: warriors.kiwi