Freddy Lussick has been moved from the interchange to start at hooker with Wayde Egan shifted to the bench for the One New Zealand Warriors’ 10th-round NRL clash against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium today (2.00pm kick-off local time; 4.00pm NZT).
Former Rooster Lussick, coming back from a four-match suspension, will be making his 38th career appearance and his first since being used in the opening three rounds of the season.
After missing the second and third rounds with an elbow injury, Egan has been on the field every minute of the Warriors’ last six matches including the 90-minute golden point extra time draw with Manly in round six.
Fullback Taine Tuaupiki has been confirmed as 18th man with second rower Jacob Laban the 19th man.
Centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and winger Marcelo Montoya were both omitted at the 24-hour deadline yesterday.
Tuivasa-Sheck picked up a hamstring injury at training with Adam Pompey brought in to replace him for his fourth appearance this season and the 84th of his career.
Left wing Montoya has been replaced by Edward Kosi who has come in for his first NRL game this year and the 28th of his career.
Match: Roosters v Warriors
Round 10 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'iCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Warriors is number 17 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Warriors is number 22 Edward Kosi
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonHooker for Warriors is number 23 Freddy Lussick
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Sandon SmithInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Egan ButcherInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 22 Fetalaiga PaugaReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
The other player omitted from the extended squad at the 24-hour deadline was rookie NRL prop Zyon Maiu’u.
Back in the lineup this week is 123-game veteran Jazz Tevaga, who has recovered from his hamstring injury to be included on the interchange.
The energetic 28-year-old wasn’t used in the opening two rounds of the season but was on the bench for the three wins over the Raiders, Knights and Rabbitohs as well as the draw with the Sea Eagles.
He picked up a hamstring injury just nine minutes into his stint against Manly which kept him out of the side for the losses to the Dragons, Titans and Knights over the last three weeks.
His availability means the One New Zealand Warriors will have Tevaga and fellow bench specialist Dylan Walker in harness for the first time this season.
With Kurt Capewell (calf) ruled out Mitchell Barnett is named to start in the second row, the role he filled when Capewell left the field against Newcastle on Sunday.
Bunty Afoa takes Barnett’s spot in the front row alongside Addin Fonua-Blake and Wayde Egan with regulars Jackson Ford and Tohu Harris completing the pack. It’s the first time the Warriors have used that combination since the 46-10 round 19 win over Parramatta last July.
The One New Zealand Warriors face a stern challenge against a Roosters side coming off two big wins in the last two rounds against the Dragons (60-20) and Brisbane (40-18) after losing three of their previous four matches.
For the fourth time in the past five years, this will be the only time the Warriors face the Roosters in a season, the Sydneysiders winning the last seven matches between the sides.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will make his 199th career appearance this week leaving him on track to reach his 200-game milestone against his former club Penrith in the Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium on May 19.
