Retiring halfback Shaun Johnson ends his NRL career with one last game against his former club. Photo: Photosport
Warriors v Sharks
Kickoff: 9.35pm, Saturday 31 August
Shark Park - Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
It's curtains for Shaun Johnson and his NRL career as he runs out for one last time to take on his former club the Cronulla Sharks.
It's also the last time we'll see Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake pull on the Warriors jersey as they play for pride at Shark Park - ironically Fonua-Blake's new home as of next year.
The Warriors will be playing for nothing but pride as their finals hopes were dashed weeks ago - but the Sharks will be lining up with an absolute point to prove.
These two clubs have had some seriously great matches over the past couple of seasons, and with the Sharks charging to the finals and the Warriors looking to send their club legends off on a high, we could be due for another big clash.
Here's a look at the teams:
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiatua 4. Charnze Nicole-Klokstad 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. 10. Mitchell Barnett (C) 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker
Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Demitric Sifakula
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Stone Katoa 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. Kayal Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blake Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes (C)
Interchange: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton
Warriors selections
Rising star Taine Tuapiki finds himself back in the fullback jersey, with Charnze Nicole-Klokstad shifted to the centres as cover for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - who misses the final game of the year due to concussion. Ali Leiatua replaces Adam Pompey, with Chanel Harris-Tavita 18th man.
Sharks selections
Nicho Hynes has been included on the extended bench after missing the last couple of months because of an ankle injury he sustained back in round 18. Siosifa Talakai returns from a calf injury alongside Sione Katoa.
Past results
Sharks 16 - 12 Warriors
The Warriors looked to kick off their highly anticipated 2024 campaign in style against the Cronulla Sharks in front of a sold-out Mount Smart back in round one - but they went down painfully by four points in what was a grind of a game.
It was the first of many close losses the Warriors went on to suffer throughout the NRL season.
Prediction
After dropping four out of their last five matches, the Warriors will be highly disappointed with how their season has ended after having so much hope and promise at the start of the year.
The club will be the first to admit that besides the number of horrible calls they find themselves getting from the NRL referees, it's still not an excuse for the lack of good football.
The departure of three club legends makes this an extremely special game for the Warriors - fans and punters alike will be looking to them to put on a backyard-style footy clinic. But the Sharks are known for spoiling parties and will definitely have something to say about that, especially when they are so close to locking in a top four spot.
Expect absolute fireworks between the two teams!
