Vodafone Warriors Sam Lousi and David Fusitua (pictured) are both out of the Auckland Vulcans line-up with injury for todays New South Wales Cup encounter with the Illawarra Cutters at WIN Stadium in Wollongong (1.10pm kick-off local time: 3.10pm NZT). Photo: Photosport
Both players lined up for the Vulcans in last Saturdays 26-40 loss to Newtown and were originally selected for todays contest but didnt travel with the side for what is one of the most testing road trips for the Auckland side.
With Fusitua (elbow) out, Zoram Watene comes onto the wing while Vodafone Junior Warriors second rower Raymond Faitala, recently signed on a one-year NRL contract for next season, replaces Lousi (ankle).
Back in the side after missing last weeks outing is veteran centre Jerome Ropati, who was honoured at Thursdays double testimonial organised by Sir Peter Leitch and his team. Ropati was acknowledged by the club as a 10-season Vodafone Warrior last year but didnt have an event like a testimonial luncheon at the time.
Today hes paired up in the centres with Sio Siua Taukeiaho while Pita Godinet and Carlos Tuimavave are again in the halves.
Coming into the squad on a five-man bench are Vodafone Junior Warriors Visesio Setefano and Esera Esera with Setefano set to join current NYC team members Siliva Havili and Albert Vete plus former Vodafone Junior Warrior Nathaniel Peteru on the final interchange combination.
With last weeks loss the Vulcans slipped to seventh on the ladder. Theyre on 21 points while the Cutters sit 10th on 15 points but come into the match confident after drawing 16-16 with competition leader Cronulla last week.
AUCKLAND VULCANS v ILLAWARRA CUTTERS
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
1.10pm, Saturday, July 27
Referee: Phil Henderson
AUCKLAND VULCANS
1STEVE WAETFORD
2TANGI ROPATI
3SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO
4JEROME ROPATI
21ZORAM WATENE
6CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
7PITA GODINET
8DANIEL PALAVI
9ALEHANA MARA
10SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
11JOHN PALAVI
15RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
13DAVID BHANA
Interchange:
14SILIVA HAVILI
16NATHANIEL PETERU
17ALBERT VETE
18VISESIO SETEFANO
19ESERA ESERA
HEAD COACH: WILLIE SWANN
Both players lined up for the Vulcans in last Saturdays 26-40 loss to Newtown and were originally selected for todays contest but didnt travel with the side for what is one of the most testing road trips for the Auckland side.
With Fusitua (elbow) out, Zoram Watene comes onto the wing while Vodafone Junior Warriors second rower Raymond Faitala, recently signed on a one-year NRL contract for next season, replaces Lousi (ankle).
Back in the side after missing last weeks outing is veteran centre Jerome Ropati, who was honoured at Thursdays double testimonial organised by Sir Peter Leitch and his team. Ropati was acknowledged by the club as a 10-season Vodafone Warrior last year but didnt have an event like a testimonial luncheon at the time.
Today hes paired up in the centres with Sio Siua Taukeiaho while Pita Godinet and Carlos Tuimavave are again in the halves.
Coming into the squad on a five-man bench are Vodafone Junior Warriors Visesio Setefano and Esera Esera with Setefano set to join current NYC team members Siliva Havili and Albert Vete plus former Vodafone Junior Warrior Nathaniel Peteru on the final interchange combination.
With last weeks loss the Vulcans slipped to seventh on the ladder. Theyre on 21 points while the Cutters sit 10th on 15 points but come into the match confident after drawing 16-16 with competition leader Cronulla last week.
AUCKLAND VULCANS v ILLAWARRA CUTTERS
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
1.10pm, Saturday, July 27
Referee: Phil Henderson
AUCKLAND VULCANS
1STEVE WAETFORD
2TANGI ROPATI
3SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO
4JEROME ROPATI
21ZORAM WATENE
6CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
7PITA GODINET
8DANIEL PALAVI
9ALEHANA MARA
10SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
11JOHN PALAVI
15RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
13DAVID BHANA
Interchange:
14SILIVA HAVILI
16NATHANIEL PETERU
17ALBERT VETE
18VISESIO SETEFANO
19ESERA ESERA
HEAD COACH: WILLIE SWANN
