Exciting outside back Sio Kali makes his return to the field in the One New Zealand Warriors’ 19th-round Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) match against the Parramatta Eels at Lidcombe Oval in Sydney on Saturday (1.00pm kick-off local time; 3.00pm NZT).
Kali, who had his 19th birthday in May, makes his comeback at fullback via the under-21 grade after being forced off the field in the New South Wales Cup team’s win over Penrith in round 11 on May 18.
A Point Chevalier Pirates junior and St Paul’s College product, he was outstanding at schoolboy level in both rugby league and rugby union.
After making four appearances and scoring four tries as a 17-year-old for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup side last season, he started 2024 with the under-19 team this year, adding two tries in three outings and then scoring the Warriors’ only two tries in his Jersey Flegg debut against the Knights on March 31.
An eventful season took another turn a week later when he made a try-scoring New South Wales Cup debut against the Rabbitohs, went back to Flegg – and added another try – in a home loss to Manly and then returned to the NSW Cup the following week when he provided what proved to be the last-second match-winning try for winger Setu Tu in a 28-20 victory over the Dragons.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 19 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Zachary HunterFullback for Warriors is number 18 Compton Purcell
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Winger for Eels is number 4 Araz NanvaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Ezekiel Tavita
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Antioch Faitala-MarinerCentre for Warriors is number 3 Hiraka Waitai-Haenga
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Centre for Eels is number 20 Devonte VaivelaCentre for Warriors is number 4 Sialetili Faeamani
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Oliver MCCARTHYWinger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal Sio
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Te Hurinui TwidleFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Jesse Soric
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Matthew HunterHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Cassius Cowley
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Sam TuivaitiProp for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotuvea
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Warriors is number 9 Jacob Auloa
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Teancum BrownProp for Warriors is number 20 Harry Durbin
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 William Lewis2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Alvin Chong Nee
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Tyrese Lokeni2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Augustino Filipo
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Damascus NeemiaLock for Warriors is number 21 Kayliss Fatialofa
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Yehya AyacheInterchange for Warriors is number 8 Tobias Crosby
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Javahn Stevenson-HalaInterchange for Warriors is number 13 Ieti Samuelu
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Jezaiah Funa-IutaInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
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Interchange for Eels is number 21 Michael AbdowInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Mikaele ILAIU
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 18 Lebron TualaReplacement for Warriors is number 17 Tallan Egan
Last updated:
That cemented a run of five straight NSW Cup outings before injury intervened sidelining him for the past eight weeks.
In his six NSW Cup games he has averaged 101 metres, provided three try assists, made two line breaks and 29 tackle breaks.
Now he makes his way back at a time when the Warriors are seeking to snap a run of four losses against Wests Tigers and the Dragons followed by top two sides the Raiders and the Bulldogs in the last two rounds.
The Eels sit three points ahead of the Warriors in 11th spot of the ladder having won four of their last five games, their loss a 0-30 defeat by competition leader Canberra.
