Warriors plan full attack on Manly despite injury toll ahead of NRL finals

The New Zealand Warriors have secured a top-two NRL finish but are refusing to coast through their final regular-season match.

According to the New Zealand Herald, coach Andrew Webster's side intends to field a competitive lineup against the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday, despite calls to rest players before the post-season begins.

The Warriors sit so far clear of third and fourth place on the ladder — with a points differential of more than 150 over the Dolphins and Sydney Roosters respectively, that only a mathematical impossibility could deny them two home finals.

Yet the club's appetite to build momentum outweighs any temptation to rotate.

Warriors secure top two with comeback win over Newcastle

The Warriors booked their finals position by overcoming the Newcastle Knights 46-32 in a game that raised as many questions as it answered. Halfbacks Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin were both scratched from the squad 24 hours before kick-off due to injury.

Hooker Wayde Egan and prop Erin Clark have played every minute of the season so far and could also do with a breather.

Webster responded by handing debuts and opportunities to younger squad members, including 21-year-old Jett Cleary at halfback.

Tuaupiki calls for full-throttle approach against Sea Eagles

Fullback Taine Tuaupiki made his position clear when speaking to the New Zealand Herald. He said the Warriors want to build genuine momentum heading into finals rather than arrive flat, and that the plan is to go hard at Manly.

Tuaupiki added that the team's selection against Newcastle showed the club's philosophy: if a player is out, it is because of injury, not rotation.

Manly have nothing to play for. Their top-eight hopes are already gone. Tuaupiki acknowledged that could work in the Warriors' favour, allowing combinations to gel and younger players to gain confidence before the finals campaign opens.

Cleary's debut and Tuaupiki's leadership boost Warriors

Against the Knights, Tuaupiki served as the senior figure in a backline that also included rookie halves Cleary and Luke Hanson. At 27, he was the oldest back on the field.

Tuaupiki told the Herald that Webster was clear the young halves should not carry leadership responsibility alone, and that every player needed to step up individually.

Cleary's performance drew considerable attention. The New Zealand Herald reported he created three tries, kicked for more than 200 metres, produced one linebreak assist, completed 14 tackles, and broke three more with ball in hand across 80 minutes.

Tuaupiki said he always believed Cleary was an NRL-level player and that, once confirmed for selection, Cleary immediately took control of the group rather than waiting to be guided.

Cleary delivered. Jett is the youngest son of former Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, and brother of Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary. The family connection added to the pre-match attention, but his on-field contribution stood on its own.

The Warriors face Manly on Saturday before their finals campaign begins a fortnight later.

This report is based on a single source, nzherald.co.nz, and has not been independently verified.