Wellingtonian Charlie Gubb (pictured) has been confirmed to make his debut at the NRLs most remote venue when he lines up for the Vodafone Warriors in their 17th-round clash against competition leader South Sydney at nib Stadium in Perth tonight (4.30pm kick-off local time; 8.30pm NZT). Photo: Photosport.
The 23-year-old Wellington College old boys milestone game was given added lustre when he was presented with his first jersey by Kiwi rugby league legend Kurt Sorensen, who established a reputation as one of the games toughest players in a lengthy career spanning the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.
Gubb has been named on the interchange bench after previously being used as 18th man this season. Impressive as a regular for the Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this year, he was in the inaugural NYC premiership-winning Vodafone Junior Warriors side in 2010 and tasted Queensland Cup grand final success with Wynnum-Manly in 2011 and 2012.
He comes into the final 17 for fellow NRL rookie Suaia Matagi, who made his third appearance in last Sundays 18-16 win over Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium.
In another change to last weeks winning combination, winger Manu Vatuvei has ultimately been ruled out tonight but was very close to being cleared after leaving the field with a contusion on his right shin early in the second half last Sunday. The giant winger has been in a rich vein of form, scoring 10 tries in 11 games this year and 19 in his last 22 appearances stretching back to last season.
Hes replaced by 20-year-old Ngani Laumape. Originally named on the bench, Laumape will play his eighth NRL match tonight, having scored a try in his last outing when the Vodafone Warriors beat the Sydney Roosters 23-12 on June 16.
With last weeks starting front rower Matagi not playing this week, Jacob Lillyman comes into the starting line-up while Gubb joins Ben Matulino, Todd Lowrie and Dominique Peyroux on the bench.
Last week the Vodafone Warriors stretched their winning streak to five wins, the sixth time it had been achieved in the clubs history. If they beat the Rabbitohs tonight, they would emulate the clubs second best run of six wins in 1995; the record of eight wins was achieved in 2002.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
nib Stadium, Perth
4.30pm, Sunday, July 07
Referees: Ashley Klein and Dave Munro
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1KEVIN LOCKE
2GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
18NGANI LAUMAPE
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
15JACOB LILLYMAN
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
10BEN MATULINO
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
21CHARLIE GUBB
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
The 23-year-old Wellington College old boys milestone game was given added lustre when he was presented with his first jersey by Kiwi rugby league legend Kurt Sorensen, who established a reputation as one of the games toughest players in a lengthy career spanning the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.
Gubb has been named on the interchange bench after previously being used as 18th man this season. Impressive as a regular for the Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this year, he was in the inaugural NYC premiership-winning Vodafone Junior Warriors side in 2010 and tasted Queensland Cup grand final success with Wynnum-Manly in 2011 and 2012.
He comes into the final 17 for fellow NRL rookie Suaia Matagi, who made his third appearance in last Sundays 18-16 win over Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium.
In another change to last weeks winning combination, winger Manu Vatuvei has ultimately been ruled out tonight but was very close to being cleared after leaving the field with a contusion on his right shin early in the second half last Sunday. The giant winger has been in a rich vein of form, scoring 10 tries in 11 games this year and 19 in his last 22 appearances stretching back to last season.
Hes replaced by 20-year-old Ngani Laumape. Originally named on the bench, Laumape will play his eighth NRL match tonight, having scored a try in his last outing when the Vodafone Warriors beat the Sydney Roosters 23-12 on June 16.
With last weeks starting front rower Matagi not playing this week, Jacob Lillyman comes into the starting line-up while Gubb joins Ben Matulino, Todd Lowrie and Dominique Peyroux on the bench.
Last week the Vodafone Warriors stretched their winning streak to five wins, the sixth time it had been achieved in the clubs history. If they beat the Rabbitohs tonight, they would emulate the clubs second best run of six wins in 1995; the record of eight wins was achieved in 2002.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
nib Stadium, Perth
4.30pm, Sunday, July 07
Referees: Ashley Klein and Dave Munro
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1KEVIN LOCKE
2GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
18NGANI LAUMAPE
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
15JACOB LILLYMAN
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
10BEN MATULINO
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
21CHARLIE GUBB
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
