The Wests Tigers return to Campbelltown needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive, but face a tough test against a well-rested Warriors side sitting second on the ladder. With Jarome Luai and Samuela Fainu returning for the Tigers and James Fisher-Harris back for New Zealand, Friday night’s clash shapes as a crucial contest for both teams.
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Matchday Details
Friday 10 July – 8:00pm (AEST) – Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Name | Senior Review Official: Name
Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Heamasi Makasini, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Adam Doueihi, 8. Terrell May, 9. Josese Lanyon, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Sione Fainu, 13. Alex Twal, 14. Latu Fainu, 15. Fonua Pole, 16. Alex Seyfarth, 17. Tony Sukkar, 18. Faaletino Tavana, 19. Charlie Murray, 20. Heath Mason, 21. Jock Madden, 22. Jared Haywood.
New Zealand Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark, 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Marata Niukore, 18. Luke Metcalf, 20. Makaia Tafua, 21. Luke Laulilii, 22. Mitchell Barnett, 23. Kurt Capewell.
Match Preview
Round 19 kicks off on Friday night in Campbelltown, with the Tigers hosting the Warriors in a must-win clash for the Tigers’ slim finals hopes. The last time these two teams met was in Round 4 this year, where the Tigers stunned the Warriors in Auckland 32-14.
The Tigers sit in 12th and are coming off a horror 24-10 loss to the Dragons last week, while the Warriors sit in second and are well-rested after having their third and final bye of the year last week. Prior to their bye, the Warriors were stung by a 26-24 loss to the Dolphins.
For the Tigers, Api Koroisau is out after suffering a pectoral strain last week. Josese Lanyon comes into the starting side at hooker.
There’s two big inclusions with Jarome Luai and Samuela Fainu both named to return. Jock Madden drops to the reserves and Tony Sukkar reverts to the bench. Charlie Murray joins the six-man bench.
For the Warriors, captain James Fisher-Harris is named to return from injury in the front row. Leka Halasima also returns from injury, named to start in the second row. It’s mixed news on the wing, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira returning in place of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Dolphins. Origin stars Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are named in the reserves and will be monitored following Origin on Wednesday night.
The key for the Tigers will be their reunited left edge of Luai and Samuela Fainu. This is the first time in 10 weeks these two will be on the field together, and prior to Fainu’s injury in Round 9 the Tigers were on a three-game winning streak. Their combination in attack created plenty of headaches for defences during that run. The main strengths Fainu brings back to that edge will be second phase play for Luai with his offloads, and his ability to contest high balls on the kick-chase — two areas the Tigers have been sorely lacking in his absence.
The key for the Warriors will be establishing their power game through the middle, then burning the Tigers out wide. The Warriors forwards get a huge boost with Fisher-Harris back to lead from the front. Expect plenty of traffic to go through the middle early as they try to tire out the Tigers forwards. Inexperienced Tigers hooker Lanyon will be a target for them with Koroisau missing. If they can create quick play-the-balls, Wayde Egan will be licking his lips at the potential for attacking opportunities against the new combinations in the Tigers middle.
The Tigers have won only one of their past eight games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The Warriors have won nine of their past 10 games against the Tigers.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Warriors by 14
Full Round 19 tips → /nrl-round-19-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Samuela Fainu and Leka Halasima both score tries on return from injury.
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Related
- Full Round 19 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-19
- NRL Round 19 Team Lists → /nrl-round-19-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
