Ngataua Hukatai switches to fullback with Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (pictured) moving into the centres in the confirmed Vodafone Junior Warriors line-up for tonights 19th-round NYC encounter with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney (kick-off 5.30 local time; 7.30 NZT). Photo: Photosport
Hukatai, returning after a long injury lay-off, was originally selected in the centres with Viliami Kaveninga named to start at fullback but Kaveinga has been ruled out as he continues to battle a hamstring injury.
That change has led to a significant shuffle in the starting forward pack with Toafofoa Sipley now listed in the front row while Stedman Lefaum originally down to run on at loose forward, goes into the second row with Sione Feao joining him off the bench; and starting at loose forward is regular front rower Sam Lisone.
Appointed captain David Bhana, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Albert Vete and David Fusitua are all on New South Wales Cup duty this week after returning to play NYC football in the clubs last outing against South Sydney on July 6.
Hukatai comes back for his 11th game this year and his 35th NYC appearance in all (he scored 11 tries in 24 matches in 2012).
The Vodafone Junior Warriors go into the contest still holding fourth spot on 23 points with the Tigers just one point behind in sixth place.
In the corresponding match at Leichhardt Oval last year the Vodafone Junior Warriors had a forgettable night when they slumped to a 12-54 defeat. Of the team used that night just five players remain to line up again this time Tuimavave-Gerrard, Hukatai, Feao, Eko Malu and Michael Sio illustrating the fluid nature of the competition.
Of the others Ngani Laumape and Carlos Tuimavave have since played for the Vodafone Warriors at NRL level as have Peta Hiku and Ligi Sao for Manly while Siliva Havili, John Palavi, Bhana, Fusitua and Vete have turned out for the Vulcans in the NSW Cup and Toka Likiliki has done likewise for Newcastle.
With centre Solomone Kata still out injured, standoff Tuimoala Lolohea will have the goal-kicking duties once more. Lolohea has scored 32 points in the Vodafone Junior Warriors last two matches lifting his tally for the season to 72, one behind injured halfback Mason Lino and 16 behind Kata; the Kelston Boys High School pupil is the teams leading try-scorer with 13 in 16 appearances.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney
5.30pm, Friday, July 19
Referee: Matt Noyen
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS
4NGATAUA HUKATAI
2METIA LISATI
21LAFU FEAGAIGA
12ADAM TUIMAVAVE-GERRARD
5VILIAMI LOLOHEA
6TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
7EKO MALU
8JAMES TAYLOR
9MICHAEL SIO (c)
11TOAFOFOA SIPLEY
13STEDMAN LEFAU
17SIONE FEAO
10SAM LISONE
Interchange:
14SAM COOK
15KATAMIRO ATERA
16ABRAHAM PAPALII
22KOUMA SAMSON
HEAD COACH: JOHN ACKLAND
Hukatai, returning after a long injury lay-off, was originally selected in the centres with Viliami Kaveninga named to start at fullback but Kaveinga has been ruled out as he continues to battle a hamstring injury.
That change has led to a significant shuffle in the starting forward pack with Toafofoa Sipley now listed in the front row while Stedman Lefaum originally down to run on at loose forward, goes into the second row with Sione Feao joining him off the bench; and starting at loose forward is regular front rower Sam Lisone.
Appointed captain David Bhana, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Albert Vete and David Fusitua are all on New South Wales Cup duty this week after returning to play NYC football in the clubs last outing against South Sydney on July 6.
Hukatai comes back for his 11th game this year and his 35th NYC appearance in all (he scored 11 tries in 24 matches in 2012).
The Vodafone Junior Warriors go into the contest still holding fourth spot on 23 points with the Tigers just one point behind in sixth place.
In the corresponding match at Leichhardt Oval last year the Vodafone Junior Warriors had a forgettable night when they slumped to a 12-54 defeat. Of the team used that night just five players remain to line up again this time Tuimavave-Gerrard, Hukatai, Feao, Eko Malu and Michael Sio illustrating the fluid nature of the competition.
Of the others Ngani Laumape and Carlos Tuimavave have since played for the Vodafone Warriors at NRL level as have Peta Hiku and Ligi Sao for Manly while Siliva Havili, John Palavi, Bhana, Fusitua and Vete have turned out for the Vulcans in the NSW Cup and Toka Likiliki has done likewise for Newcastle.
With centre Solomone Kata still out injured, standoff Tuimoala Lolohea will have the goal-kicking duties once more. Lolohea has scored 32 points in the Vodafone Junior Warriors last two matches lifting his tally for the season to 72, one behind injured halfback Mason Lino and 16 behind Kata; the Kelston Boys High School pupil is the teams leading try-scorer with 13 in 16 appearances.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Leichhardt Stadium, Sydney
5.30pm, Friday, July 19
Referee: Matt Noyen
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS
4NGATAUA HUKATAI
2METIA LISATI
21LAFU FEAGAIGA
12ADAM TUIMAVAVE-GERRARD
5VILIAMI LOLOHEA
6TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
7EKO MALU
8JAMES TAYLOR
9MICHAEL SIO (c)
11TOAFOFOA SIPLEY
13STEDMAN LEFAU
17SIONE FEAO
10SAM LISONE
Interchange:
14SAM COOK
15KATAMIRO ATERA
16ABRAHAM PAPALII
22KOUMA SAMSON
HEAD COACH: JOHN ACKLAND
