Injuries force major reshuffle for Vodafone Warriors

Spate of injuries force Brown to make major changes

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 20 Jul 2021, 03:23 PM

Injuries have robbed the Vodafone Warriors of four of their first-choice players for Saturday’s 19th-round NRL clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday (3.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).

Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion) and centre Rocco Berry (hamstring) have been ruled out along with second rower Tohu Harris (knee) and hooker Wayde Egan (shoulder).

Harris, Tuivasa-Sheck and Egan were forced off the field in the space of just four minutes – the 12th, 14th and 16th minutes – in Sunday’s loss to the Penrith Panthers.

To compound a grim day, Berry was out of the contest in the 36th minute.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Saturday 24 Jul

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Josh Mansour

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 14 Taane Milne

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Euan Aitken
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson Paulo

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Mark Nicholls

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matthew Lodge
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Josh Curran

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob Host

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Taniela Otukolo
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick Mago

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Eliesa Katoa
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Braidon Burns

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leeson Ah Mau

Reserves

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Blake Taaffe

Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Edward Kosi

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:40:55 AM

Harris is finished for the season with an ACL injury while Egan’s complaint is still being assessed but it’s expected he'll also face a long time of the side-line.

Return to play dates for Tuivasa-Sheck and Berry are yet to be determined.

It will be the first time Tuivasa-Sheck has been missing from the side all season leaving him on 195 appearances as he eyes the chance of bringing up 200 games in his final year.

With Tuivasa-Sheck out prop Addin Fonua-Blake, who played 76 minutes on Sunday, will lead the side.

After being named on the wing against Penrith, Tuivasa-Sheck was listed at standoff on game day in what was set to be a roving role. In his absence Kodi Nikorima, who was on the bench on Sunday, teams up with Chad Townsend in the halves; Nikorima will be making his 50th appearance for the club this week.

Berry’s misfortune opens the way for Adam Pompey to return in the centres for his 14th outing this year while Jack Murchie has been named to replace Harris in the second row, Jazz Tevaga has been selected at hooker for Egan and Josh Curran starts at loose forward.

Rookie hooker Taniela Otukolo, who made his debut against Newcastle on June 19, is on the bench for what will be his second appearance.

Completing the interchange at this stage are props Bunty Afoa and Leeson Ah Mau – the only player who hasn’t missed a game this year – and second rower Eliesa Katoa.