New loan player Jack Hetherington has been rushed straight into service for the Vodafone Warriors’ eighth-round NRL clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm local time; 7.30pm NZT).
With captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suspended, Peta Hiku's versatility sees him moved to fullback with Gerard Beale moved from the extended bench into the centres.
The rest of the backline remains as selected.
Agnatius Paasi, originally named to start at prop, moves to the interchange with Adam Blair coming from loose forward into the front row. Tohu Harris is again shifted from the second row to loose forward with Karl Lawton coming off the bench to start on the edge.
The interchange players are Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jack Hetherington, Isaiah Papali'i and Paasi.
Loan player Hetherington becomes Vodafone Warrior #246 tonight while winger David Fusitu’a makes his delayed 100th appearance for the club.
Fusitu’a was poised to become the 24th 100-game player in Vodafone Warriors history in the encounter with Melbourne last week but was ruled out after failing to fully recover from the head injury he suffered against South Sydney.
Hetherington became the club’s second loan player after the Vodafone Warriors and Penrith reached agreement for him to join the team last Sunday. The 16-game NRL player replaced Sydney Roosters front rower Poasa Faamausili, who was recalled by his club on Saturday after playing four times for the Vodafone Warriors.
The 1.90cm, 107kg Hetherington, Penrith’s 2018 NRL rookie of the year, is reunited with former Panthers teammate Wayde Egan, back in the line-up after being suspended last week being.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 3 Peta HikuFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'aWinger for Broncos is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Broncos is number 3 Herbie Farnworth
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Centre for Warriors is number 22 Gerard BealeCentre for Broncos is number 4 Darius Boyd
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Broncos is number 9 Issac Luke
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Prop for Warriors is number 13 Adam BlairProp for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 16 Karl Lawton2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu HarrisLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Agnatius PaasiInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Tom Dearden
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Chanel Harris-TavitaInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys Kennedy
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'o
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Corey Oates
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
The match marks a welcome return for the Vodafone Warriors to their ‘home’ ground in Gosford after tough matches on the road against the Rabbitohs and the Storm. In their two games at Central Coast Stadium they have beaten St George Illawarra 18-0 and North Queensland 37-26.
The game will also see the Vodafone Warriors playing in front of spectators for the first time. Tickets are now on sale through here through Ticketek.
VODAFONE WARRIORS | 100 APPEARANCES
301 Simon Mannering
261 Stacey Jones
226 Manu Vatuvei
212 Ben Matulino
195 Logan Swann
188 Jacob Lillyman
185 Lance Hohaia
173 Sam Rapira
170 Awen Guttenbeil
162 Shaun Johnson
159 Wairangi Koopu
150 Micheal Luck
145 Jerome Ropati
132 Jerry Seuseu
129 Clinton Toopi
115 Ali Lauitiiti
115 Joe Vagana
110 Francis Meli
110 Russell Packer
105 Nathan Fien
105 Evarn Tuimavave
103 Brent Webb
101 Monty Betham
Pending:
99 David Fusitu’a