A third straight win beckons the One New Zealand Warriors but the defending champions will have to overcome another unbeaten side in Illawarra to maintain their momentum in Sunday’s fourth-round Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) contest at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe (12.00pm kick-off).
The Warriors are coming off a bye, lying fourth on the ladder after beating Manly Warringah 28-14 and Penrith 22-20 in their first two matches.
The Steelers sit one place above on points for and against differential after trouncing Melbourne 42-6 in round one and following their second-round bye with a tough 26-24 win over Canberra last weekend.
After playing away in the opening two rounds, the Warriors will welcome being at home for the first time this season, and the first time since winning the premiership last year. The match is the first leg of a doubleheader followed by the Warriors-Steelers SG Ball Cup encounter.
A number of changes appeared in the Warriors’ lineup named on Tuesday.
Match: Warriors v Steelers
Round 4 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Steelers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Jeremiah LemanaFullback for Steelers is number 1 Oliver Burton
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Alexander PuaWinger for Steelers is number 2 Jaxon Ballinger
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Satali Asolelei FrettonCentre for Steelers is number 3 Cooper Morrison
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Soane Ma'asiCentre for Steelers is number 4 Sonny MacGregor
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Calieb FidowWinger for Steelers is number 5 Jack Goulder
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Alapati Tusa SoagiaFive-Eighth for Steelers is number 6 Tayler Humphries
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Halfback for Warriors is number 13 Tyson HansenHalfback for Steelers is number 7 Jett Brookfield
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Krushil KotekaProp for Steelers is number 8 Mace Scofield
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Amasio TiatiaHooker for Steelers is number 9 Asher Chapman
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Prop for Warriors is number 15 Kenny LafituanaiProp for Steelers is number 10 Mason Andrews
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Dougal Grant2nd Row for Steelers is number 11 Creighton Meafou
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Bishop Neal2nd Row for Steelers is number 12 Taj Barrett
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Lock for Warriors is number 8 Ronan ByfordLock for Steelers is number 13 Halaapiapi Amone
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dreytin MarriottInterchange for Steelers is number 14 Kahuitara Te Ra Chase
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 D'Angelo MikaeleInterchange for Steelers is number 15 Jordan Barlow
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Christiano EliaInterchange for Steelers is number 16 Logan Fenwick
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Jacksyn HillInterchange for Steelers is number 18 Ashton Moore
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Shannon PaiReplacement for Steelers is number 17 Callum Cooney
Last updated:
Satali Asolelei Fretton (Kelston Boys’ High School) has been selected to make his debut in the centres while the halves combination is yet to be fully confirmed. While Alapati Tusa-Soagia, used at halfback in the win over the Panthers, has been switched to standoff, the halfback’s spot is vacant.
Captain and first-choice #6 Tyson Hansen moves to loose forward for Ronan Byford, who has been switched to the front row for Lucian Mikaele (serving a one-game suspension). There’s also a swap at hooker with Dreytin Marriott named on the bench and Amasio Tiatia to start.
When the two sides met at the same venue last year, the Warriors won 26-16. Survivors from the lineup that day are fullback Jeremiah Lemana, winger Justice Pua, Hansen and Marriott.
