The finals picture will become clearer on Saturday after the Warriors, Panthers and Sharks strut their stuff against opponents they'll be expected to beat but can ill-afford to take lightly.
Another massive crowd will be on hand in Auckland as the Warriors look to heap more misery on the Titans and shore up their spot in the top four before the Panthers chase a seventh straight win when they host Wests Tigers.
We bring it home on Saturday with the eighth-placed Sharks out to build on wins over the Dolphins and Roosters by subduing the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs in Gosford.
Follow all the Round 21 action on 94ddz.com's live blog.
Warriors v Titans at Go Media Stadium
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Titans
17th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
39 min: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck does his best Superman impersonation to try and touch down in the left corner but the final pass had been ruled forward.
34 min: Titans back-rower Beau Fermor leaves the field for a HIA after landing heavily on his head after contesting a bomb.
30 min: Jackson Ford is placed on report for a crusher tackle on Jayden Campbell, who bangs over the penalty goal to give the Titans the lead at 12-10.
23 min: The game settles into an arm wrestle with the sides trading sets and a magnificent take by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck from a spiralling bomb allows the Warriors to come out of their own end but an error by Leka Halasima brings the movement to an end.
17 min: Titans hooker Chris Randall leaves the field for a HIA.
Phillip Sami Try
15 min: AJ Brimson shows great footwork on the left edge and lofts a pass over the top for Phil Sami to cross in the corner. Jayden Campbell misses to the left. 10-10.
13 min: Warriors hooker Wayde Egan leaves the field for a HIA. He fails and is ruled out.
Jojo Fifita Try
12 min: A long-range special from the Titans after Jaimin Jolliffe's offload puts Jayden Campbell into space and he finds Jojo Fifita for the finishing touches. Campbell adds the extras. Warriors 10-6.
Leka Halasima Try
9 min: Another try for last week's match-winner Leka Halasima courtesy of a classy short ball from Chanel Harris-Tavita. Warriors 10-0.
7 min: A high shot by Moe Fotuaika on Wayde Egan invites the Warriors into the Red Zone again and they earn a repeat set when Brian Kelly is forced back in goal after taking a bomb.
4 min: Adam Pompey gets the Go Media Stadium faithful on their feet early with some sweet stepping to leave Jojo Fifita in his wake and dive over for the opening try. Tanah Boyd lands the extras. Warriors 6-0.
Late Mail
The Warriors line up 1-17 with no late changes. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been cleared to make his return from a knee injury at fullback. Sam Healey is 18th man in a settled squad looking to build on last week's last-gasp win over the Knights. Marata Niukore will play his 150th NRL game.
Titans: With Sam Verrills missing the trip to Auckland due to the birth of his first child, Chris Randall moves to hooker with Sean Mullany going to the bench. Jacob Alick shifts from the interchange to the back row in the game day shuffle. Skipper Tino Fa'asuamaelaui (knee) and forward David Fifita (ankle) are out of Des Hasler's 500th game as coach.
Numbers Game
- The Warriors have won five from seven in New Zealand this season.
- The Titans have won five of their last six games against the Warriors.
- Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored five tries in his last six games.
- Titans mentor Des Hasler will reach the milestone of 500 games as premiership coach.
Panthers v Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Rabbitohs v Sharks at Industree Group Stadium
Match: Rabbitohs v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
16th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL