Late changes made against Broncos

Author: Richard Becht & Photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 30 Jun 2020, 04:01 PM

New loan player Jack Hetherington has been rushed straight into service for the Vodafone Warriors’ eighth-round NRL clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm local time; 7.30pm NZT).

With captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suspended, Peta Hiku's versatility sees him moved to fullback with Gerard Beale moved from the extended bench into the centres.

The rest of the backline remains as selected.

Agnatius Paasi, originally named to start at prop, moves to the interchange with Adam Blair coming from loose forward into the front row. Tohu Harris is again shifted from the second row to loose forward with Karl Lawton coming off the bench to start on the edge.

The interchange players are Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jack Hetherington, Isaiah Papali'i and Paasi.

Loan player Hetherington becomes Vodafone Warrior #246 tonight while winger David Fusitu’a makes his delayed 100th appearance for the club.

Fusitu’a was poised to become the 24th 100-game player in Vodafone Warriors history in the encounter with Melbourne last week but was ruled out after failing to fully recover from the head injury he suffered against South Sydney.

Hetherington became the club’s second loan player after the Vodafone Warriors and Penrith reached agreement for him to join the team last Sunday. The 16-game NRL player replaced Sydney Roosters front rower Poasa Faamausili, who was recalled by his club on Saturday after playing four times for the Vodafone Warriors.

The 1.90cm, 107kg Hetherington, Penrith’s 2018 NRL rookie of the year, is reunited with former Panthers teammate Wayde Egan, back in the line-up after being suspended last week being.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 4 Jul

Full Time

Warriors

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu
Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'a

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Patrick Herbert

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Herbie Farnworth
Centre for Warriors is number 22 Gerard Beale

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius Boyd
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Issac Luke
Prop for Warriors is number 13 Adam Blair

Prop for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
2nd Row for Warriors is number 16 Karl Lawton

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Agnatius Paasi

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tom Dearden
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys Kennedy
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jack Hetherington

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'o
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Isaiah Papali'i

Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Corey Oates

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:41:34 AM

The match marks a welcome return for the Vodafone Warriors to their ‘home’ ground in Gosford after tough matches on the road against the Rabbitohs and the Storm. In their two games at Central Coast Stadium they have beaten St George Illawarra 18-0 and North Queensland 37-26.

The game will also see the Vodafone Warriors playing in front of spectators for the first time. Tickets are now on sale through here through Ticketek.

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