You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

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.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'a
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Patrick Herbert
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Herbie Farnworth
  • Centre for Warriors is number 22 Gerard Beale
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius Boyd
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Issac Luke
  • Prop for Warriors is number 13 Adam Blair
    Prop for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 16 Karl Lawton
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
  • Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Agnatius Paasi
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tom Dearden
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Chanel Harris-Tavita
    Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys Kennedy
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'o
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Isaiah Papali'i
    Interchange 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

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

Principal Partner

Major Partners

Official Sponsors

View All Partners