Vodafone Warriors New South Wales Cup coach Rohan Smith has made two changes to the team’s starting line-up for today’s second-round match against the Illawarra Cutters at Eden Park (12.40pm kick-off).
Agnatius Paasi (pictured in last month's NRL trial against Gold Coast) will now start in the centres with David Fusitua out of the side and former Vodafone Warriors front rower Upu Poching will start at prop in a straight swap with Nathaniel Peteru.
Albert Vete comes into the squad as 18th man.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v ILLAWARRA CUTTERS
Eden Park, Auckland
12.40pm, Saturday, March 15
Referee: Aaron Donald
FIVE KEY FEATURES
#1 TEAM KIT | Now Vodafone Warriors members and fans have the chance to see the club’s newest team resplendent in a new playing strip. The Vodafone Warriors have now become one of the handful of clubs which have their own teams in all three major competitions.
#2 CARLOS TUIMAVAVE | Started in the centres for the NRL side against the Eels last week but comes in to fill the No 6 spot for the New South Wales Cup side today (Ben Henry filled the position last week).
#3 AGNATIUS PAASI | The former Vodafone Junior Warrior shows his utility value again by being called on take over from the originally-named David Fusitua in the centres. Paasi had a key involvement in winger Jarred Wilson’s two tries last week.
#4 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX | Unavailable serving a one-game suspension last week, Peyorux will bring his strong work ethic to the side today. His first-grade experience will also serve to stiffen the side up defensively.
#5 JARRED WILSON | Wellington product signed from the Penrith NYC side, Jarred can play at fullback or on the wing. One of five players on New South Wales Cup contracts with the Vodafone Warriors this year, he caught the eye with two tries against Wentworthville last week.
THE TEAMS
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 STEVE WAETFORD (c)
2 JARRED WILSON
3 KONRAD HURRELL
18 AGNATIUS PAASI
5 NGANI LAUMAPE
6 CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
7 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
8 CHARLIE GUBB
9 MICHAEL SIO
14 UPU POCHING
11 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
12 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
13 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
Interchange:
10 NATHANIEL PETERU
15 DAVID BHANA
16 SILIVA HAVILI
17 ABRAHAM PAPALII
25 ALBERT VETE
COACH | ROHAN SMITH
ILLAWARRA CUTTERS
1 PETER MATA’UTIA
2 KITI GLYMIN
3 CHARLY RUNCIMAN
4 NATHAN GREEN
5 TYRON CRANSTON
6 SAM DUGGAN
7 RYAN CARR (c)
8 JOSH AILAOMAI
9 SHANE PUMIPI
10 MATT GROAT
11 WILL MATTHEWS
12 WILLIE MATAKA
13 PENI BOTIKI
Interchange:
14 JOEL JOHNSON
15 DYLAN STRICKLAND
17 RORY O’BRIEN
18 CHARLIE FAINGAA
24 SHANNON WAKEMAN
COACH: IAN MILLWARD
TELEVISION COVERAGE
Live on SKY Sport 2, 12.40pm.
