Warriors vs Tigers Prediction: Wahs to extend winning streak

The New Zealand Warriors will be looking to make it a perfect four wins from four in the 2026 NRL season when they welcome Wests Tigers to the Go Media Stadium on Friday (07:00 kick-off).

Read on for my New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers prediction, complete with the latest team news and match odds.

Warriors vs Tigers Odds

The Warriors are the heavy 1/4 favourites to register a fourth win of the season, with the draw priced at 18/1 and the Tigers 16/5 to claim the spoils.

There have been 47 or more points in the last two meetings and it is 10/11 for over 46.5 to land in Friday's contest.

Team News

The Warriors have been boosted by the early return of Luke Metcalf from an ACL injury he sustained in round 17 last year, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Adam Pompey are also back on deck.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Luke Hanson, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Morgan Gannon have dropped out, and Taine Tuaupiki is among the reserves.

Warriors Team List

Backs: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Luke Metcalf, 7. Tanah Boyd.

Forwards: 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark.

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Mitchell Barnett, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Marata Niukore, 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Jock Madden starts at No.6 for the Tigers, taking over from the injured Jarome Luai, while Bunty Afoa and Faaletino Tavana have also been recalled.

Latu Fainu is listed among the reserves as he closes in on a return from shoulder surgery, while Tony Sukkar and Patrick Herbert have dropped out of the squad.

Tigers Team List

Backs: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Jeral Skelton, 3. Sunia Turuva, 4. Heamasi Makasini, 5. Luke Laulilii, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Adam Doueihi.

Forwards: 8. Terrell May, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Alex Twal.

Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope, 15. Sione Fainu, 16. Royce Hunt, 17. Alex Seyfarth, 18. Bunty Afoa, 19. Faaletino Tavana.

New Zealand Warriors Over 32.5 Total Points @ 13/10

It has been a fantastic start to the season for the Warriors, who have beaten Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights to sit top of the NRL.

Andrew Webster's side have racked up a division-leading 120 points and they have scored over 32.5 in all three matches - 42 against Sydney, 40 against Canberra and 38 against Newcastle.

With the Warriors welcoming back key players for this contest, that only strengthens their chances of picking up another win and amassing plenty of points as they do.

The Tigers followed up a 44-16 season-opening win over the North Queensland Cowboys with a 20-16 defeat at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the fifth away game in a row they have lost.

Wests Tigers have not won in New Zealand since 2018 and that poor record could be exposed once again at the GIO Stadium.

New Zealand Warriors -6.5 First Half Handicap @ 21/20

With the Warriors expected to rack up the points in a victory, they could come out of the blocks quickly and put the Tigers to the sword early.

The Warriors, who have won their last eight games against the Tigers, have covered a -6.5 first-half handicap in two of their three NRL matches.

It is also worth noting that the Warriors have also covered a -6.5 handicap in the first half in six of the last seven home clashes against the Tigers.