Sunday, Leichhardt Oval, 2pm
Referee: Steve Lyons

The Tigers got a couple of forwards back from injury last weekend and improved enough to take the Broncos down to the wire, before losing to a Karmichael Hunt field goal. The Warriors would like to think they can at least out-size the Tigers, but they will have to do without their inspirational prop and captain, Steve Price, who is on State of Origin duty, and that is a big blow. The defence of the Warriors has been poor this season. They are conceding 29 points per game and that is never going to cut it in this competition. The Tigers may not have the biggest forward pack around, but they are committed. The Warriors, on the other hand, have been guilty of lacking desire on occasions.

The Tigers love playing at Leichhardt. There is bound to be a big crowd in to support the team for what is a critical game for them. The Tigers have got the bye in the next round, so they will be extremely motivated to get the win here and add the two free points to that to start a run back up the competition table from their current 12th place. The Tigers are still well in the hunt for the finals, but they need to win home games like this against a faltering opponent if they want to be taken seriously as contenders.

LATE MAIL
Wests Tigers have lost Corey Payne (shoulder) ahead of Sunday's encounter with the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval. Ryan Tandy will replace him, while Dene Halatau (quad) is expected to play despite failing to train so far this week.

Warriors prop Ruben Wiki has been given permission to wear a specially embroidered jersey in his 300th NRL game.
Glenn Jackson

TIGERS: Brett Hodgson (capt), Taniela Tuiaki, Dean Collis, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, Mathew Head, Bronson Harrison, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Ben Te'o, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton. Interchange: John Morris, Dene Halatau, Daine Laurie, Ryan Tandy.

WARRIORS: Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk, Jerome Ropati, Simon Mannering, Malo Solomona, Michael Witt, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck (capt). Interchange: Patrick Ah Van, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sonny Fai.