Team List: More backline changes for Warriors

Team List: Injuries force more backline changes

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 23 Jul 2024, 04:00 PM

More injuries to outside backs have caused another backline reshuffle for the One New Zealand Warriors’ 21st- round NRL match against the Wests Tigers at a sold-out Go Media Stadium on Friday night (8.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: GWM).

When they last played at home against the Broncos four weeks ago the Warriors started and finished with their strongest available backline in a 32-16 victory.

The same combination ran on the following week against the Bulldogs only for three of them to be forced off the field – fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) in the 39th minute, right winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (head knock) in the 46th minute and left winger Marcelo Montoya (groin) in the 63rd minute.

Then last Friday night against Canberra replacement fullback Taine Tuaupiki was ruled out of the contest after an eighth-minute head knock while centre Adam Pompey (knee) left the field in the opening minute of the second half.

For two games on end second rowers Kurt Capewell and Leka Halasima (in his first two NRL games) had to play big minutes in the centres as the backline was reshaped on the run.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Friday 26 Jul

Full Time

Warriors

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Luke Laulilii
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Moala Graham-Taufa

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Reuben Porter
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Tom Ale

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:38 PM

Now, with Nicoll-Klokstad, Montoya, Tuaupiki and Pompey all out this week, the Warriors can form a complete backline from a list of injured players which also includes centre Rocco Berry (shoulder), standoff Luke Metcalf (leg) and halfback Shaun Johnson (chronic Achilles tendinopathy).

For Friday night’s return to Go Media Stadium, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck switches to fullback where he played for 72 minutes after starting on the left wing against the Raiders. That sees Edward Kosi take Tuivasa-Sheck’s spot and New South Wales Cup regular Moala Graham-Taufa is named for his third NRL appearance in the centres.

The 25-year-old Kosi returns for his fourth match this season and the 31st of his career after last playing in the shattering loss to Gold Coast in round 16.

Graham-Taufa (22) made his club debut as a last game day replacement in the memorable 24-20 win over the Dolphins on May 26.

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Only Watene-Zelezniak, centre Ali Leiataua and halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin are set to start in the same position they started in against the Raiders.

The starting pack remains intact for the fourth straight game with a front row of Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan and Mitchell Barnett, Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell in the second row and Dylan Walker at loose forward while the interchange is the same as the one used against the Bulldogs and the Raiders.

Returning to the extended squad for the first time this season is 2023 NRL rookie Demitric Sifakula, who has been making an impressive comeback from knee surgery with the club's New South Wales Cup side.