Avoiding a second straight season without finals football trumps any personal duel with Wayne Bennett in coach Anthony Griffin's preparations for tonight's NRL clash with Newcastle.

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen is believed to be among 10 current NRL players to have accepted doping bans from Asada yesterday.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to make a surprise return from a thumb injury for the Sydney Roosters in tomorrow's showdown with the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to return from a thumb injury for the Sydney Roosters' vital clash against the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday, in what could be the dual international's final NRL game in New Zealand.

Sunday's clash between the Warriors and Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium is shaping up as a mouthwatering contest and one of the most important matches of the season for both sides.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson occupies the right edge on attack, which is apparently out near where his political loyalties lie.

Warriors and former Cronulla back-rower Jayson Bukuya is "pleasantly relieved" at not being included on Asada's list of 17 past and present Sharks players issued with show cause notices.

Warriors lock Sebastine Ikahihifo is raring to go in Sunday's clash against the Roosters after recent struggles with his health saw him sit out last Sunday's defeat to the Knights.

Konrad Hurrell will return from injury for the Warriors against the Sydney Roosters in Sunday's Mt Smart Stadium clash.

The Warriors' will have to vastly improve their discipline if they hope to topple the Roosters this weekend.

A patchy performance against an inspired Knights outfit has seen the Warriors limp out of Hunter Stadium with their top eight hopes hanging in the balance.

Watch a replay of today's live blog of the NRL match between the Warriors and the Knights at Hunter Stadium.

It's been the tightest NRL season in years and is expected to go right down to the wire.

The Warriors could be homeless for the first month of next season.

Canterbury put their spluttering NRL campaign back on track with a hard-fought 18-16 win over bitter rivals Parramatta in Sydney last night.

Warriors veteran Thomas Leuluai says his side need to show better commitment to making their first-up tackles when they come up against an imposing Newcastle Knights pack tomorrow.

Warriors centre-wing Ngani Laumape credits an improved diet and off-field preparation for his outstanding form and rising status as one of the NRL's true danger men.

Trying to pick a winner in the NRL is a risky business at the best of times but I'm leaning towards the Rabbitohs taking it out this year.

Sonny Bill Williams has hinted at a third spell in the NRL after he completes his two-year contract with New Zealand rugby at the end of 2016.

Brisbane co-captain Justin Hodges is almost certain to make his NRL return from a hamstring injury against South Sydney tonight.