No late changes have been made by the Vodafone Warriors for their historic first 'home' game at Cbus Super Stadium against the Canberra Raiders today (2.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).
Head coach Stephen Kearney has confirmed the side will start 1-17 as selected for the contest which will be played behind closed doors.
After preparing this week from their base in Kingscliff - using the Cudgen Rugby League Club for their field sessions - the Vodafone Warriors will have rookie second rower Eliesa Katoa on one edge in just his second competitive rugby league match.
In 52 minutes on the field against Newcastle last week, he made 144 metres from 17 runs – the most by a Vodafone Warriors forward – and had the most post-contact metres in the side with 50.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Adam PompeyWinger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 David Fusitu'aCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam KeighranCentre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Leeson Ah MauProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lachlan BurrProp for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Adam BlairLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Kodi NikorimaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva Havili
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 King VuniyayawaInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Michael Oldfield
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Referee: Dave Munro
Last updated:
His inclusion on the edge sees Adam Blair switch to loose forward with Isaiah Papali’i moving to the interchange in what will be his 50th career appearance.
With centre Peta Hiku and winger Patrick Herbert returning home on compassionate grounds (Herbert has since flown back to Australia) utility Adam Keighran is named as Hiku’s replacement with Adam Pompey coming onto the right wing to partner David Fusitu’a. Keighran and Pompey were both in the side in the 24-20 upset win over the Raiders in the final round of the regular season last year.
Omitted from the original extended bench were Karl Lawton, Hayze Perham, Leivaha Pulu and Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard.
The Vodafone Warriors had a squad of just 24 players to choose from, the three omitted being Tom Ale, Rocco Berry and Paul Turner (all on development contracts).
Today's match is Blair’s 313th career appearance, moving him two clear of the great Ruben Wiki as the record holder for most NRL games by a New Zealander after equalling Wiki’s mark in Newcastle last Saturday. Just behind Blair and Wiki on 309 games is Kiwi captain Benji Marshall.
Milestones are also nearing for Tohu Harris, who plays his 149th game today, and Fusitu’a, who lines up for the 98th time for the club.
- The Vodafone Warriors’ round two game against Canberra at Cbus Super Stadium is proceeding as planned but the venue is closed to spectators. The NRL and clubs are working in parallel to resolve questions that ticketed members have in relation to this unprecedented situation due to the coronavi. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing patience and we will continue to keep you updated.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v CANBERRA RAIDERS
2.00pm, Saturday, March 21, 2020
Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2 ADAM POMPEY
3 DAVID FUSITU’A
4 ADAM KEIGHRAN
5 KEN MAUMALO
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA
7 BLAKE GREEN
8 LEESON AH MAU
9 WAYDE EGAN
10 LACHLAN BURR
11 ELIESA KATOA
12 TOHU HARRIS
13 ADAM BLAIR
Interchange:
14 KODI NIKORIMA
15 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN
16 ISAIAH PAPALI’I
17 KING VUNIYAYAWA
18 KARL LAWTON
20 HAYZE PERHAM
21 LEIVAHA PULU
22 ADAM TUIMAVAVE-GERRARD
HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY
