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Warriors celebrate a fine try - Source: Photosport -
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New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has named an unchanged
starting line-up for the club's final match of the National Rugby
League regular season against Parramatta at Sydney on Saturday
night.
The only modification has come on the interchange bench where a
fifth player - centre Joel Moon - has been listed alongside Alehana
Mara, Jacob Lillyman, Ukuma Ta'ai and Jesse Royal, who comprised
the bench in last Friday night's 36-4 victory over Brisbane.
The New Zealand Warriors are wary of a Parramatta Eels outfit that will harness the same motivation that saw them smash the Brisbane Broncos.
The Eels are out of the playoff contention but Saturday clash with the Warriors will offer them an ideal send-off for Kiwi captain Nathan Cayless; much as the Warriors used Steve Price's final home game as motivation last Friday.
Speaking on Skoda Game On - Extra Time , Warriors two-try hero Lewis Brown said their chances of climbing further up the ladder could be hampered by an emotionally-charged Eels team.
"It's going to be a pretty emotional day for them, they're sending off some players, like Nathan Cayless - it's going to be a big one for him."
"So it's probably the same as us on Friday night. They're out of final contention but they've definitely got a lot to play for; some pride and something to restore for next year."
Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia echoed that warning. Acknowledging that Auckland-bound Eels Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo will aim to depart Parramatta Stadium on a winning note.
"Parramatta is going to be up for a big, emotional game with a couple of their players coming to us next year; and they'll be wanting to finish on a high."
"It's going to be game-on on Saturday night."
The fifth-placed Warriors are guaranteed a spot in the NRL finals but their chances of making the top four are dependant on a victory over the Eels plus favourable results from games involving the Titans, Panthers and Roosters.
"It's crazy the way the table is looking at the moment. If we win we could get up in the top four. If we lose we could drop back down to seventh." Heremaia said.
But Brown suggests the major focus for the Warriors in the build-up to Saturday night's match is to maintain the high standards set against the Broncos.
"It's going to be a big game for us. We've got to prepare right and come with the right attitude and be ready to play."
"Hopefully we can get the win and climb up the ladder a bit more and put ourselves in good stead for the final."
Winger Manu Vatuvei, who has 18 tries in 17 games so far this
season, would equal two records if he scored a try against
Parramatta.
He would draw level with Stacey Jones' all-time club record of 77
tries and also match Sean Hoppe's record of 19 tries in a regular
season, achieved in 1995.
