League: Warriors have nothing to lose

The Warriors have absolutely nothing on the line at Brookvale Oval in Manly tonight and in those situations they tend to win.

But a victory that will still leave them in second-to-last place on the 15-team table will not put any gloss on a season of under-achievement.

There has been little to enthuse about this season. And with Stacey Jones departing, no established hooker or five-eighth where the ball is handled most, no regular recognised goal-kicker - and without the impact power of bench prop Iafeta Paleaaesina - it is hard to see things improving.

Especially if their on-field attitude and commitment to an 80-minute game does not.

The Warriors took 19 men over to Sydney but it appears unlikely that departing wing Francis Meli will get a run ahead of those staying for 2006. Neither is it likely they would throw in teenage prop Sonny Fai, who has performed well for the Junior Kiwis but at 17 still looks short on age, especially for a front rower.

The shape of the Eagles team that runs out tonight will be determined late, after a virus ran through the club and following a rash of injury problems.

There is speculation that prop Brent Kite may make an earlier-than-expected return after several weeks out with a knee injury, but another prop Jason King is in doubt with a similar strain.

Likewise centre/wing Ashley Alberts may be fit after shaking the virus that ruled him out last weekend, but fullback Brett Stewart remains in doubt after leaving the field early in the hammering at Cronulla with ribs and hip damage.

Centre Terry Hill has also suffered the virus and the Warriors would not miss him should he withdraw, his niggling tactics playing no small part in their coming undone 26-20 in an ugly game in round one, which in may ways set the tone for their season.

Hooker Chad Randall has a shoulder problem. Bench prop Daniel Heckenberg has played three games in reserve grade after recovery from a knee tear, and because of all the doubts over who will be fit to start he is one of 21 players the Sea Eagles have named as possibles.

The Eagles started the season with a hiss and a roar and made early running that has them still clinging to a top-eight spot but the confidence and panache has gone from the team.

* NRL, Warriors vs Sea Eagles, Brookvale Oval, 9.30 tonight

SEA EAGLES
Brett Stewart
Paul Stephenson
Terry Hill
Chris Hicks
Scott Donald
Steve Menzies
M. Monaghan (c)
Jason King
Chad Randall
Daniel Heckenberg
Luke Williamson
A. Watmough
Ben Kennedy

NZ WARRIORS
Brent Webb
Manu Vatuvai
Clinton Toopi
Simon Mannering
Todd Byrne
Sione Faumuina
Stacey Jones (c)
Ruben Wiki
Nathan Fien
Steve Price (c)
Awen Guttenbiel
Wairangi Koopu
Monty Betham

INTERCHANGE: Manly (from): Kylie Leuluai, Shayne Dunley, Mark Bryant, Sam Harris, Michael Witt, Nathan Tutt, Kane Cleal.
Warriors (from): Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Louis Anderson, Jerome Ropati, Sonny Fai, Francis Meli