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Josh Curran is confirmed on the interchange to replace injured rookie Eliesa Katoa for the Vodafone Warriors' 19th-round NRL clash against Canberra at GIO Stadium today (2.00pm kick-off local time; 4.00pm NZT).

Katoa was named on the interchange bench on Tuesday to make his return from a broken hand he picked up early in the 36-6 win over Newcastle in Tamworth on August 29.

However, his name was missing after two players were omitted from the original 21-man squad as required 24 hours before kick-off. Also moved off the extended bench is young outside back Rocco Berry.

Other than Curran's inclusion, the game day 17 is the same as the one selected with Paul Turner and Gerard Beale the two players omitted an hour before kick-off.

With Parramatta loan players Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings returning to their club and front rower Jamayne Taunoa-Brown suspended, Vodafone Warriors interim head coach Todd Payten was forced to make line-up changes when releasing his side on Tuesday.

Alvaro and Jennings made their sixth and final appearances of their loan stint in Sunday’s 14-22 loss to Cronulla, a result which ended any chance the Vodafone Warriors had of making the play-offs.

They were involved in the club’s last four victories along with two close losses to competition leader Penrith and the Sharks but they were prevented from playing against their parent club two weeks ago.

Rookie Taunoa-Brown has played in each of the Vodafone Warriors’ 18 first matches but he picked up a grade two dangerous contact charge for a tackle on Sharks second rower Siosifa Talakai which carried a one-match suspension for an early guilty plea.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Adam Pompey
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Keighran
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Jordan Rapana
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Peta Hiku
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Hayze Perham
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Lachlan Burr
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva Havili
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl Lawton
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
    Prop for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 10 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Joseph Tapine
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Wayde Egan
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Adam Blair
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Hudson Young
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
    Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Josh Curran

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram

Last updated:

His absence sees the experienced Lachlan Burr back as a starting prop with development player Tom Ale (21) to make his NRL debut after being named in jersey #17. He’s set to become Vodafone Warrior #250. 

Moving onto the left wing for Jennings is Hayze Perham – used in the centres the last five games – with Adam Keighran making his long-awaited return in the centres where he played in his last and only appearance this season against Canberra in round two.

Tohu Harris has again been listed in #12 and Isaiah Papali’i in #10 but Harris will start in the middle with Papali’i on the left edge once more. Along with Harris and Jack Murchie, Papali’i played the full 80 minutes against the Sharks.

With Taunoa-Brown unavailable, Harris and interchange forward Adam Blair will remain the only players to have lined up in all 19 matches so far.

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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