VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
1.45pm, Sunday, August 10
Referees: Phil Haines and Shane Rehm
Sam Lisone will lead the Vodafone Junior Warriors in their vital 22nd-round NYC clash against Cronulla at Mount Smart Stadium today (1.45pm kick-off; match day sponsor: Bendon Man).
The powerhouse front rower was initially named on the bench for the club’s New South Wales Cup side against Wests Tigers yesterday but will instead line up with his NYC team-mates in a contest they need to win to stay in the top eight.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors go into the encounter as one of three clubs on 24 points but sit eighth due to their vastly superior points for and against recorr which was booster immeasurably by last Sunday’s rollicking 54-6 win over the Canberra Raiders.
Lisone’s inclusion is the only change to the starting line-up today. It results in Bunty Afoa, so impressive all season, shifting to the bench.
The other players confirmed on the interchange are Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard – making his 50th NYC appearance – Jazz Tevaga and Lafu Feagaiga.
The Sharks are 15th on the points table.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS
1 BRAD ABBEY
2 PAUL ULBERG
3 NATHANIEL ROACHE
4 MARATA NIUKORE
5 METIA LISATI
6 MAFOA’AEATA HINGANO
7 SEMISI TYRELL
20 SAM LISONE (c)
9 KURT ROBINSON
10 KOUMA SAMSON
11 TOAFOFOA SIPLEY
12 MICHAEL KI
13 JAMES BELL
Interchange:
8 BUNTY AFOA
14 ADAM TUIMAVAVE-GERRARD
15 JAZZ TEVAGA
21 LAFU FEAGAIGA
COACH: STACEY JONES
COVERAGE:
Live coverage starts on SKY Sport 1 at 1.30pm.
