HMC Team List: Warriors set for grand final rematch with Magpies

Author: Richard Becht warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Wed 5 Mar 2025, 11:55 AM

A grand final rematch beckons for the One New Zealand Warriors in this weekend’s sixth round of the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) competition.

They’re back on the road after two straight games at home to face the Western Suburbs Magpies at Kirkham Oval in Camden on Sunday (10.00am kick-off local time; 12.00pm NZT).

When the two sides met in last year’s premiership decider, the Warriors were outstanding in beating the Magpies 34-16 to take out the premiership on debut.

They’ve put together three wins and a loss so far this season, last Sunday’s hard-earned 20-8 win over bottom-placed Melbourne lifting them back to sixth spot on the ladder.

Round 6 - Saturday 8th March

Full Time

Magpies

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Magpies is number 1 Joshua Vella

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Jeremiah Lemana
Winger for Magpies is number 2 Kingston Finau

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Jacksyn Hill
Centre for Magpies is number 3 Thomas Goodfield

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Parekaahu Keepa
Centre for Magpies is number 4 Yacoub Ali Jida

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Soane Ma'asi
Winger for Magpies is number 5 James Lanyon

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Kaian Olsen
Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 6 Jhevon Lele

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Alapati Tusa Soagia
Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Curtis Lakeman

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia

Forwards

Prop for Magpies is number 8 Jaziyah Taiatu

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Lucian Mikaele
Hooker for Magpies is number 9 Brock Achurch

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Dreytin Marriott
Prop for Magpies is number 10 Kye Penfold

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Krushil Koteka
2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Elijah Lapu'aho

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Satali Asolelei Fretton
2nd Row for Magpies is number 12 Alfred Epati

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tyson Hansen
Lock for Magpies is number 13 Jake Gaffney

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Ronan Byford

Interchange

Interchange for Magpies is number 14 Siosefa Spears

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Luke Lemalu
Interchange for Magpies is number 15 Daniel Lafolafo

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bishop Neal
Interchange for Magpies is number 16 Cooper Williams

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Kenny Lafituanai
Interchange for Magpies is number 17 Ruben Toga

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Hanita Takulua

Reserves

Replacement for Magpies is number 18 Andrew Sio

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Charles Henry

Last updated: 08:26 pm Tuesday 11th March 2025

Significantly, though, they’re level with four other teams on eight points, just two behind leaders the Illawarra Steelers, the only team the Warriors have lost to so far.

The Magpies are four points behind them after two wins and three losses. Following victories in the opening two rounds, they’ve had three defeats although they gave the Steelers a real battle before losing 12-16.

Warriors head coach TJ Ashford continues to shuffle players to develop them but has built the team around a core of seven leading performers in captain Tyson Hansen (who has been used in the halves and the back row), fullback Jeremiah Lemana, centre Soane Ma’asi, halfback-standoff Alapati Tusa Soagia, second rower Bishop Neal, middle forward Ronan Byford and interchange forward Kenny Lafituanai.

They’ve played all four games so far and are set to line up for the fifth time on end on Sunday while second rower Dougal Grant and hooker Amasio Tiatia are out of the squad for the first time this week.