From www.sportal.co.nz
New Zealand Warriors veterans Awen Guttenbeil and Brent Webb are set to play their last home games for the club this Sunday against the Sydney Roosters.
Guttenbeil will leave the Warriors for British Super League side Castleford at the end of the current season, while Webb will take up a lucrative offer with Leeds.
Both players, barring injury, will then put a Warriors jersey on for the final time on Sunday week when they travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos.
This weekend's clash, however, against the Roosters is also notable for the fact that vice-captain Ruben Wiki will celebrate becoming the NRL's longest-serving Kiwi when he notches his record 265th game.
Head coach Ivan Cleary says the side has plenty to play for this weekend and it is hoping to put on a strong showing for the fans.
"We've had some special achievements to mark lately like Awen's testimonial match, Webby's 100th and Ruben's record," he said.
"Now we have Awen and Webby playing at home for the last time before heading to England.
"They've both made great contributions to the club and they've been outstanding for us this season.
"It'd be nice to see a decent crowd out to farewell them and also to support the team for the last time this year."
With regular first-graders Wairangi Koopu, Nathan Fien and Tony Martin all still out with injury, Cleary has chosen to stick with the same line-up that beat the Melbourne Storm 24-20 last weekend.
Despite losing Fien, Martin and Koopu as well as back rower Sione Faumuina in recent weeks, the Warriors have still managed to string together three consecutive victories.
"To win in Melbourne last weekend was a tremendous effort, even more so because we've been winning without some of our most experienced players," said Cleary.
"It really shows how much the players have grown and developed this year."
The team is: Brent Webb, Patrick Ah Van, Lance Hohaia, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, George Gatis, Steve Price (captain), Awen Guttenbeil, Micheal Luck, Louis Anderson.
Interchange: Cooper Vuna, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira.
New Zealand Warriors veterans Awen Guttenbeil and Brent Webb are set to play their last home games for the club this Sunday against the Sydney Roosters.
Guttenbeil will leave the Warriors for British Super League side Castleford at the end of the current season, while Webb will take up a lucrative offer with Leeds.
Both players, barring injury, will then put a Warriors jersey on for the final time on Sunday week when they travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos.
This weekend's clash, however, against the Roosters is also notable for the fact that vice-captain Ruben Wiki will celebrate becoming the NRL's longest-serving Kiwi when he notches his record 265th game.
Head coach Ivan Cleary says the side has plenty to play for this weekend and it is hoping to put on a strong showing for the fans.
"We've had some special achievements to mark lately like Awen's testimonial match, Webby's 100th and Ruben's record," he said.
"Now we have Awen and Webby playing at home for the last time before heading to England.
"They've both made great contributions to the club and they've been outstanding for us this season.
"It'd be nice to see a decent crowd out to farewell them and also to support the team for the last time this year."
With regular first-graders Wairangi Koopu, Nathan Fien and Tony Martin all still out with injury, Cleary has chosen to stick with the same line-up that beat the Melbourne Storm 24-20 last weekend.
Despite losing Fien, Martin and Koopu as well as back rower Sione Faumuina in recent weeks, the Warriors have still managed to string together three consecutive victories.
"To win in Melbourne last weekend was a tremendous effort, even more so because we've been winning without some of our most experienced players," said Cleary.
"It really shows how much the players have grown and developed this year."
The team is: Brent Webb, Patrick Ah Van, Lance Hohaia, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, George Gatis, Steve Price (captain), Awen Guttenbeil, Micheal Luck, Louis Anderson.
Interchange: Cooper Vuna, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira.
