Suaia Matagi has been confirmed as the Vodafone Warriors fourth prop for tonights 19th-round NRL clash against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval (7.35pm kick-off local time; 9.35pm NZT). Photo: Photosport
With Russell Packer and Charlie Gubb ruled out, head coach Matthew Elliott has recalled the 25-year-old Matagi for his fourth NRL appearance.
A swap has been made in the starting front row with Queensland 18th man Jacob Lillyman running on with Sam Rapira to open hostilities, as the pair did last time out when the Vodafone Warriors took on South Sydney in Perth.
The rest of the starting combination is as selected with Manu Vatuvei confirmed to fill his wingers spot after missing the South Sydney contest.
The final bench is Ben Matulino, Todd Lowrie, Dominique Peyroux and Matagi. Sam Lousi is the 18th man.
In four clashes against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, the Vodafone Warriors one success was in 2008 when they triumphed 28-26 the day Ruben Wiki made his 300th NRL appearance. They lost 22-24 last year.
Going into the match, halfback Shaun Johnson has kicked his last 17 goals on end and needs only three points to bring up 100 for the season.
Second rower Feleti Mateo will make his 69th consecutive appearance since joining the club in 2011 while Johnson, Thomas Leuluai and Ben Matulino will join Mateo in maintaining a record of playing in every game so far this season.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney
7.35pm, Friday, July 19
Referees: Gavin Badger and Luke Phillips
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1KEVIN LOCKE
2GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
5MANU VATUVEI
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
15JACOB LILLYMAN
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
10BEN MATULINO
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
21SUAIA MATAGI
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
With Russell Packer and Charlie Gubb ruled out, head coach Matthew Elliott has recalled the 25-year-old Matagi for his fourth NRL appearance.
A swap has been made in the starting front row with Queensland 18th man Jacob Lillyman running on with Sam Rapira to open hostilities, as the pair did last time out when the Vodafone Warriors took on South Sydney in Perth.
The rest of the starting combination is as selected with Manu Vatuvei confirmed to fill his wingers spot after missing the South Sydney contest.
The final bench is Ben Matulino, Todd Lowrie, Dominique Peyroux and Matagi. Sam Lousi is the 18th man.
In four clashes against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, the Vodafone Warriors one success was in 2008 when they triumphed 28-26 the day Ruben Wiki made his 300th NRL appearance. They lost 22-24 last year.
Going into the match, halfback Shaun Johnson has kicked his last 17 goals on end and needs only three points to bring up 100 for the season.
Second rower Feleti Mateo will make his 69th consecutive appearance since joining the club in 2011 while Johnson, Thomas Leuluai and Ben Matulino will join Mateo in maintaining a record of playing in every game so far this season.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney
7.35pm, Friday, July 19
Referees: Gavin Badger and Luke Phillips
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1KEVIN LOCKE
2GLEN FISIIAHI
3DANE NIELSEN
4KONRAD HURRELL
5MANU VATUVEI
6THOMAS LEULUAI
7SHAUN JOHNSON
8SAM RAPIRA
9NATHAN FRIEND
15JACOB LILLYMAN
11FELETI MATEO
12SIMON MANNERING (c)
13ELIJAH TAYLOR
Interchange:
10BEN MATULINO
16TODD LOWRIE
17DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
21SUAIA MATAGI
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT
