Team List: Key backline changes for Warriors

Team List: Tuaupiki and Leiataua called up

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 16 Jul 2024, 04:00 PM

Significant changes have been forced among the outside backs for the One New Zealand Warriors’ 20th- round NRL clash against the Raiders at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday night (8.00pm kick-off local time; 10.00pm NZT).

First-choice fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and winger Marcelo Montoya (groin) have both been ruled out as they recover from injuries which saw them leave the field in the heartbreaking 12-13 golden point loss to the Bulldogs on July 6.

Taine Tuaupiki comes in at fullback for his fifth NRL appearance of the season (and 10th of his career) after last playing in the Magic Round victory over Penrith on May 19 before being a late withdrawal for the match against the Dolphins to be with his partner for the birth of their first child.

He played a match-winning hand against Penrith, scoring the game-levelling try and then adding a superb conversion to ultimately give the Warriors a 22-20 victory over the three-time premiers. In his four games so far this season he is averaging 176 metres with 18 tackle breaks.

There’s a shuffle in the centres and on the wing with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moving to the left wing to replace Montoya while Ali Leiataua comes into the centres.

It will be the second time Tuivasa-Sheck has started on the wing this season while rookie Leiataua will play his third NRL match after his last appearance – a try-scoring one – in the win over the Panthers.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Friday 19 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Zac Hosking

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Adam Cook

Replacement for Warriors is number 22 Moala Graham-Taufa

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Peter Gough
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:39 PM

For the 21-year-old this Friday night’s match brings back memories of his fine first-grade debut when the Warriors had a 36-14 win over Canberra at GIO Stadium on June 9 last year.

One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has selected the same starting pack used against the Bulldogs with State of Origin representatives Mitchell Barnett (New South Wales) and Kurt Capewell (Queensland) both listed.

It’s hoped they’ll be able to back up just 48 hours after tomorrow night’s series-deciding blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

With Barnett making his Origin debut and Capewell playing his 11th match, it will be the first time the Warriors have had two players in an Origin match since Jacob Lillyman (Queensland) and Ryan Hoffman (New South Wales) lined up against each other in the 2015 series.

Webster has also named the same interchange bench used against the Bulldogs with the newest Warrior Leka Halasima set for his second appearance after his brilliant debut two weeks ago.

The Warriors and the Raiders are split by just one point on the ladder, the Raiders sitting 11th on 20 points and the Warriors 12th on 19 points.

Both teams come into the match refreshed from a bye after defeats in their last outings; while Warriors went down to Canterbury Bankstown, Canberra had a 12-16 loss at home to the Knights.