For the second time in six weeks the One New Zealand Warriors face the challenge of taking on the Kaiviti Silktails on their home turf in the Jersey Flegg Cup tomorrow (12.00pm kick-off).
The Warriors arrived in Lautoka today for the 20th-round under-21 contest at Churchill Park with the weather again likely to be a key factor.
When the two sides met at the same venue on June 8 the Warriors came from 6-10 down to edge the locals 16-10 on a day when the midday temperature hit 28 degrees. It’s expected to be about the same again tomorrow.
The Silktails are running 14th and last in the competition, winless after 17 games, with the Warriors 13th with five wins, a draw and 12 losses from 18 games.
Match: Silktails v Warriors
Round 20 -
home Team
Silktails
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Silktails is number 1 Brandon SaunFullback for Warriors is number 1 Sio Kali
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Winger for Silktails is number 2 Tevita WanisiWinger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal Sio
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Centre for Silktails is number 3 Mitchell PoulterCentre for Warriors is number 3 Hiraka Waitai-Haenga
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Centre for Silktails is number 4 Emosi DaubituCentre for Warriors is number 4 Sialetili Faeamani
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Winger for Silktails is number 5 Bili TariaWinger for Warriors is number 17 Brandon Norris
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Five-Eighth for Silktails is number 6 Orisi BariFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Caleb Laiman
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Halfback for Silktails is number 7 Melikiseteki NacaginimaseiHalfback for Warriors is number 14 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Forwards
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Prop for Silktails is number 8 Jeremaia KetecaProp for Warriors is number 8 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Hooker for Silktails is number 9 Seru KalounivaluHooker for Warriors is number 9 Jacob Auloa
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Prop for Silktails is number 10 Adrea RamabukeProp for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotuvea
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2nd Row for Silktails is number 11 Akuila Qoro2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kayliss Fatialofa
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2nd Row for Silktails is number 12 Fenton Williams2nd Row for Warriors is number 16 Alvin Chong Nee
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Lock for Silktails is number 13 Tevita VukiceaLock for Warriors is number 13 Harry Durbin
Interchange
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Interchange for Silktails is number 14 Senivalati VunibolaInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tobias Crosby
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Interchange for Silktails is number 15 Alipate QoroInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Ieti Samuelu
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Interchange for Silktails is number 16 Gabriel RawamilaInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Phranklyn MANO-LE-MAMEA
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Interchange for Silktails is number 17 Sisa VuniwaqaInterchange for Warriors is number 21 Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 12 Augustino Filipo
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Reserve for Silktails is number 18 Isoa Lakepa
Last updated:
Yet the Fijian side has been close on other occasions and is showing clear signs of improvement. As well as the result against the Warriors the locals lost 14-20 to the Rabbitohs and 14-18 to Bulldogs in Lautoka.
It’s proof if any was needed that the One New Zealand Warriors face a serious test again tomorrow, more so coming into the match without a win in their last five starts since beating the Silktails.
With the club’s New South Wales Cup side having a bye this weekend, the Jersey Flegg side has been boosted by the inclusion of prop Tanner Stowers-Smith. The 20-year-old started at SG Ball Cup level last season but was quickly promoted to reserve grade where he has played almost exclusively ever since including last week’s remarkable 46-28 comeback win over the Eels.
Joining Stowers-Smith from the NSW Cup squad are fullback Sio Kali and half Caleb Laiman.
