League: Winners line up to land Eagles

The Warriors have stuck with the same side that beat Newcastle as they prepare to take on the Manly Sea Eagles at Ericsson on Sunday.

Jerome Ropati stays at five-eighth and Sione Faumuina again starts from the bench as they push for stability in execution.

The Warriors lost their first game last year to Manly at Ericsson and then fell into a hole they struggled with until near the end of the season.

On Sunday they need to take the field with the determination that earned the win over the Knights.

Scans have confirmed that second-rower Epalahame Lauaki, who was a late withdrawal from that game, needs shoulder surgery and is most likely out for the season.

The Eagles came through their win over the Roosters without injury concerns and are expected to keep the same team that made errors to concede two early tries before battling back for a 30-22 victory. They have off-loaded Kane Cleal, son of Noel "Crusher" Cleal, to South Sydney.

Professional punters won A$250,000 ($296,000) by taking the 16.5 points start on offer for the Warriors last weekend after learning early that there was doubt about Knights captain Andrew Johns taking the field.

Johns reported a neck strain to team officials on Thursday but did not withdraw until Saturday morning. The news leaked despite club attempts to keep it quiet.

A total of A$147,000 was quickly bet on the Warriors, prompting agencies in Australia to suspend betting.

Johns is expected to play against the Dragons at Wollongong this weekend.

The Bulldogs and Sharks have denied a rumour their Kiwis players Sonny Bill Williams (shin splints) and Nigel Vagana (broken ankle) will make returns this weekend.

Melbourne Storm five-eighth Scott Hill has been suspended for two weeks for pushing the referee during his side's loss to the Tigers last weekend.

Canberra hooker Simon Woolford will appeal to the judiciary tonight over his charge of making a high tackle on Penrith prop Joel Clinton but faces a minimum two weeks out.

* Ericsson Stadium, Sunday 2pm

NZ Warriors

Brent Webb
Todd Byrne
Tony Martin
Clinton Toopi
Manu Vatuvei
Jerome Ropati
Nathan Fien
Ruben Wiki
George Gatis
Steve Price (c)
Awen Guttenbeil
Wairangi Koopu
Louis Anderson

Eagles (likely)

Brett Stewart
M. Robertson
Steven Bell
Steve Matai
Chris Hicks
Travis Burns
Matt Orford
Jason King
M. Monaghan
Brent Kite
Steve Menzies
A. Watmough
Ben Kennedy (c)

Reserves:

Warriors: Grant Rovelli, Micheal Luck, Evarn Tuimavave, Sione Faumuina.

Sea Eagles: Shane Dunley, Luke Williamson, Adam Cuthbertson, Mark Bryant.