(4) ILLAWARRA v (8) VODAFONE WARRIORS
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
6.10pm, Sunday, September 14
Referee: Adam Cassidy
Back rower David Bhana has been brought into the starting line-up for the Vodafone Warriors’ week two New South Wales Cup play-off against Illawarra at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney today (6.10pm kick-off local time; 8.10pm NZT).
He comes off the originally-named bench to replace Upu Poching. He is expected to start at loose forward with Agnatius Paasi going to the front row in jersey No 13.
The rest of the starting side is as selected while the confirmed bench comprises Albert Vete, Abraham Papalii, Michael Ki and Daniel Palavi.
After finishing eighth in the regular season, the Vodafone Warriors made a strong start to their finals campaign with a 36-28 win over the fifth-placed Mounties last week.
In contrast fourth-placed Illawarra’s finals bid hit rough air as it fell 6-42 to minor premier Penrith in week one.
Six Vodafone Warriors players have had a taste of NRL football this season – centre Dominique Peyroux, standoff Carlos Tuimavave, props Sam Lousi and Paasi, hooker Siliva Havili and second rower John Palavi.
The match is live on SKY Sport 2 from 8.10pm NZT.
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 STEVE WAETFORD (c)
2 TANGI ROPATI
3 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
4 MICHAEL SIO
5 JARROD TUA
6 CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
7 SAM COOK
14 DAVID BHANA
9 SILIVA HAVILI
10 SAM LOUSI
11 JOHN PALAVI
12 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
13 AGNATIUS PAASI
Interchange:
15 ALBERT VETE
17 ABRAHAM PAPALII
18 MICHAEL KI
22 DANIEL PALAVI
COACH: ROHAN SMITH
