Vodafone Warriors interim head coach Todd Payten has made some positional switches ahead of tonight's seventh-round NRL clash against the Melbourne Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney (6.00pm local time; 8.00pm NZT).
Veteran Adam Blair has been moved from loose forward to start in the front row with Isaiah Papali'i, back in the squad after missing the last two matches, brought off the bench to start in the second row.
Tohu Harris has been switched to loose forward.
The change sees Jamayne Taunoa-Brown switched to the interchange alongside Chanel Harris-Tavita, Agnatius Paasi and Josh Curran.
There's also a swap in the backline with Gerard Beale confirmed to start in the centres and Patrick Herbert shifted to the right wing.
Herbert fills the spot vacated by David Fusitu'a, who was set for his 100th NRL appearance, but hasn't fully recovered from the head knock he picked up attempting to score his second try of last Friday night's clash against South Sydney.
Prop Lachlan Burr was also ruled out. Like Fusitu'a he hasn't been cleared after the head knock he received early in the match against the Rabbitohs.
Sydney Roosters prop Poasa Faamausili has been promoted to start an NRL match for the first time in his career after 17 games off the bench. Faamausili's loan deal from the Roosters was extended this week.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 7 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Warriors is number 4 Patrick Herbert
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Justin OlamCentre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
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Centre for Storm is number 21 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Warriors is number 18 Gerard Beale
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Warriors is number 13 Adam Blair
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl Lawton
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchProp for Warriors is number 15 Poasa Faamausili
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Warriors is number 17 Isaiah Papali'i
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Agnatius Paasi
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Warriors is number 21 Josh Curran
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Last updated:
Centre Peta Hiku, halfback Blake Green and Paasi will all achieve an identical club milestone when they play their 50th match for the Vodafone Warriors tonight.
Aside from Maumalo’s comeback, interim Vodafone Warriors head coach Todd Payten has been forced to make other changes in his first match in charge after taking over from the departed Stephen Kearney.
Rookie second rower Eliesa Katoa (ankle) and hooker Wayde Egan (suspended) are both out resulting in new signing Jack Murchie replacing Katoa for his first start after seven interchange appearances and Karl Lawton is in for Egan at hooker.
The encounter has been switched from AAMI Park to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne.
VODAFONE WARRIORS | 100 APPEARANCES
301 Simon Mannering
261 Stacey Jones
226 Manu Vatuvei
212 Ben Matulino
195 Logan Swann
188 Jacob Lillyman
185 Lance Hohaia
173 Sam Rapira
170 Awen Guttenbeil
162 Shaun Johnson
159 Wairangi Koopu
150 Micheal Luck
145 Jerome Ropati
132 Jerry Seuseu
129 Clinton Toopi
115 Ali Lauitiiti
115 Joe Vagana
110 Francis Meli
110 Russell Packer
105 Nathan Fien
105 Evarn Tuimavave
103 Brent Webb
101 Monty Betham
Pending:
99 David Fusitu’a
