New Vodafone Warriors recruit Bureta Faraimo will make his debut for the club in Saturday’s Intrust Super Premiership clash against the Illawarra Steelers at Mt Smart Stadium.
The 26-year-old outside back, who has starred for Wentworthville this year, linked up with the Vodafone Warriors last week.
The former Parramatta Eel has been named on the wing for Ricky Henry’s Vodafone Warriors ISP team and will be looking to continue his recent try-scoring exploits for his new club.
Wellington-born Faraimo will head into this weekend’s ISP game as the competition’s equal leading try-scoring, having crossed the line 14 times for Wentworthville this season.
Steady playmaker Mason Lino, meanwhile, is expected to make a return for the ISP team where he’s been named in the halves.
Lino was required in Perth as injury cover for the first-grade team two weeks ago and ended up being named 18th man.
He will be a welcome addition to the ISP team this weekend, who, fresh from last week’s bye, will be looking to return to the winners’ circle after falling in the final seconds to the Canterbury Bulldogs at Belmore in round 17.
This weekend’s ISP game kicks off at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, July 15 at 1pm. Gates open at 12:45pm.
There is free entry through Gate B for any fans wishing to attend, while free parking is also available in the main Mt Smart Stadium carpark through the O’Rorke Rd entrance.
In the under-20s competition, Joe Vuna has been named to make his return for the Vodafone Junior Warriors on Friday night against the Penrith Panthers.
A fortnight ago, Vuna made his ISP debut against the Bulldogs but will return to action for the Vodafone Junior Warriors this week.
Like the ISP team, the under-20s will be looking for a change in fortunes on Friday night after a tough loss to Manly in Sydney in round 17.
The Panthers won’t be an easy team to handle, however, with the visitors heading to New Zealand in third place on the competition ladder with 26 points.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors game gets underway at the temporarily renamed “Manu Vatuvei Stadium” on Friday night at 5:45pm before the first-grade game at 8pm.
ISP
VODAFONE WARRIORS v ILLAWARRA STEELERS
Manu Vatuvei Stadium, Auckland
1pm (NZT), Saturday, July 15
1. Zac Santo
2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
3. Matthew Allwood
4. Junior Pauga
5. Bureta Faraimo
6. Sam Cook
7. Mason Lino
8. Chris Satae
9. Manaia Cherrington
10. Daniel Palavi
11. Ofahiki Ogden
12. Isaiah Papalii
13. James Bell
Interchange
14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Toafofoa Sipley
16. Patrick Sipley
17. King Vuniyayawa
18. Johnny Vuetibau
Coach: Ricky Henry
NYC
VODAFONE WARRIORS v JUNIOR PANTHERS
Manu Vatuvei Stadium, Auckland
5.45pm (NZT), Friday, July 14
1. Lee Turner
2. Israel Ogden
3. Melino Fineanganofo
4. Dean Kouka-Smith
5. Gibson Popoalii
6. Kane Telea
7. Chanel Harris-Tavita
8. Kenese Kensese
9. Eiden Ackland
10. Tayhler Paora
11. Jerome Mamea
12. Joe Vuna
13. Chris Sio
Interchange:
14. Lewis Sio
15. Soane Hufanga
16. Kelepi Lui
17. Sheldon Rogers
18. Troy Pulupaki
20. Keanu Dawson
21. Mark Graham
22. Keanu Laumatia-Paki
23. Isaiah Papalii
24. Javier Pitovao
Coach: Grant Pocklington
