Strong New Zealand connections abound in Manly squad

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 4 Jun 2022, 04:36 PM

Three ex-Vodafone Warriors and a future one line up for the Manly Sea Eagles in tonight's 13th-round NRL contest.

Leading the trio is highly experienced Kieran Foran, who has been moved to halfback with Daly Cherry-Evans on State of Origin duty with Queensland.

The 31-year-old Auckland-born Foran, an Ellerslie Eagles junior, brought up his 250th career appearance last week.

Now in his 14th season, the 22-Test Kiwi international had 17 matches for the Vodafone Warriors in 2017.

Named to start at prop is Toafofoa Sipley, who made two NRL appearances for the Vodafone Warriors in 2016. He played 33 times for the club’s under-20 side and had 37 games for the Vodafone Warriors in the New South Wales Cup. Tonight he plays his 45th NRL match.

Returning from suspension on the bench is Karl Lawton, a 33-game Vodafone Warrior from 2018-2020. He plays his 70th career game tonight.

Also on the interchange is utility Dylan Walker, who will join the Vodafone Warriors on a three-year deal next season. A 174-game veteran, Walker has represented the Māori All Stars the last three years and played four Tests for the Kangaroos in 2014.

Four other New Zealand-born players are in the Manly squad – centre Morgan Harper, who was born in Hamilton, plus winger Christian Tuipulotu (Otahuhu Leopards junior), Josh Aloiai (Glenora Bears) and Marty Taupau, all born in Auckland.

Utility Josh Schuster, starting at standoff tonight, is a nephew of John Schuster, the former All Black rugby union star who played 47 times for the Newcastle Knights in 1991-1993 and then signed with Halifax in England.

Josh Schuster, born in Sydney, is eligible to play for New Zealand but has nominated to pursue selection for Australia.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Saturday 4 Jun

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Morgan Harper

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua Schuster

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Kieran Foran

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Josh Aloiai

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jazz Tevaga
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey

2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Taniela Otukolo
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl Lawton

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin Taupau

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Aaron Pene
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen