Coach Rohan Smith has made just one change from the originally named line-up for the Vodafone Warriors’ 10th-round New South Wales Cup clash against Manly at Brookvale Oval today (3.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).
Back from injury and named on the right wing is Dane Nielsen, replacing Braxton Stanley.
The rest of the line-up is as selected as the Vodafone Warriors seek to rebound from consecutive losses to Penrith and the Mounties. The defeats followed a run of four straight victories.
The Vodafone Warriors remain in the top eight but face a Manly side just two spots below on the ladder.
Smith will this week have the services of five NYC-eligible players. Lining up for his 10th straight outing – the only player to have appeared in every match – is Tuimoala Lolohea at standoff while alongside him will again be halfback Mason Lino and centre Solomone Kata plus prop Sam Lisone and NSW Cup debutant Michael Ki.
Among those missing from the squad is regular front rower Charles P Gubb – celebrating his 24th birthday today – who is on a five-man bench for the club’s NRL side against Canterbury-Bankstown in Hamilton tomorrow.
Manly is able to draw on some NRL experience including former Vodafone Warrior Epalahame Lauaki and ex Vodafone Junior Warrior Ligi Sao.
MANLY SEA EAGLES v VODAFONE WARRIORS
Brookvale Oval, Sydney
3.00pm (local time), Saturday, May 17
Referee: Chris Sutton
FIVE KEY FEATURES
#1 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX | The utility makes a welcome return from injury after playing a key role in Toa Samoa’s win over Fiji Bati on May 3. He has been used in the centres this season but lines up in the back row today.
#2 SILIVA HAVILI | Re-signed on a new two-year contract last weekend, the new Kiwi hooker continues his development with the chance to play more big minutes after three NRL interchange appearances last month.
#3 JARRED WILSON | Wilson is another player returning from injury after being sidelined for several weeks with an ankle sprain. He distinguished himself in the opening rounds scoring four tries in the first two matches of the season.
#4 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA AND MASON LINO | They played a lot of football together in the NYC last year and had their first NSW Cup outing in tandem last week. They stand out as the youngest halves pairing in the competition.
#5 MICHAEL KI | After playing all nine NYC matches for the Vodafone Junior Warriors so far, Ki now has the opportunity to show his ability at the next level up. Operating on the left edge, he has scored six tries in the NYC this season.
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 STEVE WAETFORD (c)
2 JARRED WILSON
3 SOLOMONE KATA
24 CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
23 DANE NIELSEN
6 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
7 MASON LINO
8 NATHANIEL PETERU
9 SILIVA HAVILI
10 UPU POCHING
11 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
12 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
13 JOHN PALAVI
Interchange:
14 AGNATIUS PAASI
15 SAM LISONE
16 ABRAHAM PAPALII
17 MICHAEL KI
COACH: ROHAN SMITH
