VODAFONE WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
4.00pm, Sunday, August 10
Referees: Adam Devcich and Grant Atkins
After missing the Canberra clash, utility Ben Henry is confirmed for the Vodafone Warriors’ all-important 22nd-round NRL clash against the Cronulla Sharks at Mount Smart Stadium today (4.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: Bendon Man).
He joins Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino and Sam Rapira on the interchange with Jayson Bukuya namedf 18th man.
It will be Henry’s 43rd career match and his 12th this season.
The starting line-up is as named on Tuesday with rookie Tuimoala Lolohea on the wing in his first NRL start after making his first two appearances from the bench.
FIVE KEY FEATURES
#1 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA | The NRL rookie faces his biggest test so far starting on the wing. He impressed off the bench last week with a line break, a try assist for Ngani Laumape and heavy involvement throughout.
#2 BEN HENRY | While his knee injury is an ingoing issue, Henry underlines his value and quality every time he plays. He made 44 tackles against Manly while a week earlier he was a double try-scorer against Brisbane.
#3 FELETI MATEO | Once again Mateo provided plenty of value from the bench last week with 103 metres from 14 carries while his two try assists and line break assists gave Sam Rapira a rare try-scoring double.
#4 SAM RAPIRA | Like Mateo, Rapira made a significant contribution off the interchange with 114 metres from 12 runs, four tackle breaks, two line breaks and two terrific tries, especially his first when he turned on the pace.
#5 BEN MATULINO | Every interchange player profited for the Vodafone Warriors last week and Matulino was no exception. He scored a nice try on the right edge and clocked up 125 metres from 13 runs plus 21 tackles.
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 SAM TOMKINS
2 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
3 NGANI LAUMAPE
4 DANE NIELSEN
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 CHAD TOWNSEND
7 THOMAS LEULUAI
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
9 NATHAN FRIEND
10 SUAIA MATAGI
11 SIONE LOUSI
12 SIMON MANNERING (c)
13 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
Interchange:
14 FELETI MATEO
15 BEN MATULINO
16 SAM RAPIRA
18 BEN HENRY
HEAD COACH: ANDREW McFADDEN
BETTING – WWW.TAB.CO.NZ
Head to head | Vodafone Warriors $1.15, Cronulla Sharks $5.00
CLICK HERE FOR ALL ODDS VODAFONE WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS
TV COVERAGE
SKY SPORT 1: Live at 4.00pm.
