Tips: Warriors on notice as Dolphins given blueprint to win blockbuster
A blowtorch has been put on the Warriors′ right edge defence as it faces the monumental task of keeping the rampaging Dolphins at bay on Saturday in Auckland.
The New Zealand based outfit narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Manly last week, winning by just one point with a field goal in the dying minutes of the contest.
James Fisher-Harris and the Warriors. Getty Images
They were subsequently knocked off the top of the NRL ladder by Penrith’s 28-point win over the Tigers on Sunday.
Several of Manly’s five tries came through the Warriors’ right edge – a fact that will have the Dolphins playmakers licking their lips ahead of a qualifying final this weekend.
The Dolphins boast one of the best backlines in the competition and favour their left-hand side in attack, with the likes of Kodi Nikorima, Hamiso Tabua-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, and Selwyn Cobbo running amok and often scoring tries at will down the left.
NRLW great Ruan Sims says the Warriors must fix their leaky defence or risk being blown off the park in front of their home fans.
“(There is the) potential of having a flat spot after that one-point victory last week,” Sims said on Wide World of Sports’ NRL Tips.
“They only conceded on average 17 points a game. The Dolphins attack is going to be throwing absolutely everything at them.
“If the Dolphins are to make some headway it will be through that left edge, because last week four of the five tries Manly scored were against that right-edge defence of the Warriors, which was concerning.”
But the trip across the ditch is making several of Nine’s expert tipsters wary of backing the Dolphins to win in week one of finals.
Brad Fittler says both sides have been in second gear of late, and hopes they find their best to produce a blockbuster on Saturday.
“Both teams aren’t going that fantastic, have been eyeing off the finals for the last month,” Fittler said.
“I’m leaning on the side of the Warriors.”
