Team List: Warriors welcome back seven players

Team List: Seven players back for trip to Townsville

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 4 Jun 2024, 03:59 PM

While seven players are back in contention veteran halfback Shaun Johnson remains on the injured list for the One New Zealand Warriors’ 14th-round NRL encounter with North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).

Of the 11 players unavailable for the win over the Dolphins in the Indigenous Round, five return to the starting lineup.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad resumes his regular role at fullback with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak moving back to the wing replacing Edward Kosi while Rocco Berry, a late withdrawal for the match against the Dolphins, comes back for replacement Moala Graham-Taufa.

Prop Addin Fonua-Blake and hooker Wayde Egan reclaim their usual spots with captain Tohu Harris back from a two-game absence at loose forward.

Named on the interchange is back rower Kurt Capewell, who was out for a month with a calf injury, and fullback – and new father – Taine Tuaupiki is on the extended bench.

Round 14 - Round 14 - Saturday 8 Jun

Full Time

Cowboys

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 21 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Cowboys is number 24 Reuben Cotter

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Thomas Mikaele

Lock for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue

Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange for Cowboys is number 9 Sam McIntyre

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kurt Capewell
Interchange for Cowboys is number 23 Jeremiah Nanai

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Freddy Lussick

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford

Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 6/20/2024 5:50:27 AM

It was anticipated Johnson would also be back from his pectoral injury but he is now set to return for the round 15 contest against Melbourne at Go Media Stadium on June 15.

The comebacks have resulted in a major reshuffling of the starting pack.

For the match against the Dolphins, the Warriors used a front row of Marata Niukore, Paul Roache and Bunty Afoa, Jackson Ford and Mitchell Barnett in the second row and Dylan Walker at loose forward.

Fonua-Blake regains his spot with Niukore moving to the second row, Egan is in for the injured Roache (ankle), regular second rower Ford is shifted to prop for Afoa and Harris comes in for Walker with only Barnett in the same position he filled against the Dolphins.

With so many reinforcements returning, head coach Andrew Webster has been able to pair both Walker and Jazz Tevaga to provide double-edged impact off the interchange.

The first time they were used in tandem from the bench was in the corresponding away match against the Cowboys in round three last season when the Warriors won 26-12.

Both sides come into the match in the midst or form revivals.

The One New Zealand Warriors overcame multiple personnel issues and a four-match losing streak to stun three-time premier Penrith 22-20 in the Magic Round and then the fourth-placed Dolphins 24-20 in round 12 ahead of their first bye last weekend.

The Cowboys lost five games on end but have won their last three against South Sydney, the Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters, the last an 18-16 away win on Sunday when both sides were without multiple State of Origin players.