The experienced Niukore Marata returns in the second row for the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ eighth-round NYC clash against the Melbourne Storm on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland on Sunday (1.00pm kick-off local time; 3.00pm NZT).
Marata, who has been used in the club’s Intrust Super Premiership side this season, has more than 30 NYC appearances so far.
He’s paired in the second row with side’s most experienced player Ofahiki Ogden, who’s closing in on the competition’s 50-game milestone.
In the halves again is Erin Clark, who has also had exposure in the ISP this season. This week he is paired with 17-year-old rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Meanwhile, the Vodafone Warriors have a bye in the Intrust Super Premiership this week. Their 26-6 win over Newcastle last weekend has lifted them to fifth on the table with eight points.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana Waters
1.00pm, Sunday, April 24
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS
1 KANE TELEA
2 LEWIS SOOSEMEA
3 JUNIOR PAUGA
4 MELINO FINEANGANOFO
5 LEVI McBIRNEY
6 ERIN CLARK
7 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA
8 BUNTY AFOA
9 SHELDON PITAMA (c)
10 ISAIAH PAPALII
11 OFAHIKI OGDEN
12 MARATA NIUKORE
13 CHRIS SIO
Interchange:
14 KEANU DAWSON
15 KOLI ONEONE
16 KENESE KENESE
17 JOE VUNA
18 JEROME MAMEA
COACH | KELVIN WRIGHT
