Warriors back home for clash with St George
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- 3 min read
Three more key players return for the New Zealand Warriors’ round 20 NRL match against St George Illawarra at Go Media Stadium on Saturday night.
Last week co-captain James Fisher-Harris, second rower Leka Halasima and winger
Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira all made successful comebacks from time on the sideline.
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Now co-captain Mitchell Barnett and second rower Kurt Capewell come back into the side
from State of Origin commitments while winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been named
after picking up a hamstring injury in the round 17 loss to the Dolphins in Brisbane.
It’s the first time since the 42-12 Magic Round victory over the Broncos that the six
players have been in the lineup together.
Barnett slots into the front row alongside Fisher-Harris, Capewell comes back into the
back row with Halasima switched to the bench and Watene-Zelezniak replaces Charnze
Nicoll-Klokstad.
Khan-Pereira’s return last week saw him bag his fifth try double of the season to boost
his tally to 11 in nine matches while Fisher-Harris snared a try, made 146 metres from
17 runs, three tackle breaks and 32 tackles.
Starting in the second row for the seventh straight game is Jacob Laban who played the
full 80 minutes for the fifth time in his last six outings in the 32-6 win over Wests Tigers
last Friday night. He finished the contest with 160 metres from 13 runs with two line
breaks, a try assist, six tackle breaks and 35 tackles.
With Barnett, Capewell and Watene-Zelezniak back in the side, the six-man bench
named comprises Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Halasima,
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Marata Niukore with Nicoll-Klokstad, Luke Metcalf and Makaia
Tafua listed as reserves.
Following their win over the Tigers, the One New Zealand Warriors remain second on the
ladder on 28 points along with the Roosters.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima, 18. Eddie Ieremia-Teoava, 20. Marata Niukore
Reserves: 21. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 22. Luke Metcalf, 23. Makaia Tafua
The injury-hit Warriors women are also bolstered by returns, as they seek to bounce back from their 42-16 defeat to Canberra Raiders on Sunday.
The wāhine lost the services of star recruit Gayle Broughton, wing Lavinia Tauhalaliku and forward Felilia Kia in their build-up to the contest, further compounding a raft of previous injuries and suspensions, and leaving them with just 17 fit players for their gameday squad.
Broughton may be sidelined up to a month, as she recovers from a quad injury suffered in training.
Tauhalaliku (concussion), who scored a try double in their NRLW season-opening win over Canterbury Bulldogs, will reclaim her spot on the wing against North Queensland Cowboys, with rookie Ocean Tierney retaining her place on the other side, after her brace against the Raiders on debut.
Sevens superstar Stacey Waaka shifts to centre, with second-rower Shakira Baker moving back to the pack.
Emmanita Paki has been named at five-eighth, with a week to train in her unaccustomed position, while former Wallaroos rugby international Jasmin Huriwai will start at hooker, replacing Capri Paekau.
Front-rower Mya Hill-Moana joins the interchange, after serving a suspension for a hipdrop tackle against the Bulldogs.
Warriors: 1. Apii Nicholls, 2. Lavinia Tauhalaliku, 3. Tysha Ikenasio, 4. Stacey Waaka, 5. Ocean Tierney, 6. Emmanita Paki, 7. Patricia Maliepo, 8. Annetta Nuuausala, 9. Jasmin Huriwai, 10. Ashlee Matapo
Interchange: 14. Capri Paekau, 15. Harata Butler, 16. Mya Hill-Moana, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti
Reserves. 18. Metanoia Fetalaiga