Watene-Zelezniak back to make his 150th career appearance

Watene-Zelezniak returns to make 150th career appearance

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 17 Aug 2021, 03:11 PM

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is one of three frontline players back in the frame for his 150th career appearance when the Vodafone Warriors face Brisbane in Sunday’s 23rd-round NRL contest at Suncorp Stadium (4.05pm kick-off local time; 6.05pm NZT).

After a false start following his one-game suspension last weekend, Watene-Zelezniak will become the second Vodafone Warrior in successive games to celebrate reaching the 150-game career milestone (centre Peta Hiku hit the mark against the Bulldogs).

He comes straight back into the side on the right wing, replacing rookie Edward Kosi who snared his first career try in last Sunday’s 24-10 win over Canterbury Bankstown.

The only other changes head coach Nathan Brown has made to the game day 17 from last week see Bayley Sironen back at loose forward with Jazz Tevaga moved to the interchange and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown coming into the starting line-up for debutant prop Jackson Frei.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Sunday 22 Aug

Full Time

Broncos

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Selwyn Cobbo

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Albert Kelly

Halfback for Warriors is number 22 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Broncos is number 21 Jake Turpin

Hooker for Warriors is number 17 Jazz Tevaga
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Euan Aitken
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Bayley Sironen

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 9 Danny Levi

Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys Kennedy

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa Katoa
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui Robati

Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Jack Murchie

Reserves

Reserve for Broncos is number 14 David Mead

Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Jackson Frei

Match Officials

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:47:08 AM

Again included on the extended bench is veteran halfback Chad Townsend who was rated a 50-50 chance to return last week before being omitted 24 fours before kick-off.

The Hamilton-born Watene-Zelezniak (25) makes it to the 150-mark after starting his career with 106 appearances for Penrith from 2014-2019 followed by 37 for the Bulldogs from 2019-2021.

In his first six outings with the Vodafone Warriors he has scored two tries, averaged 167 metres a game and made 22 tackle breaks.

Paired again in the second row are converted centre Euan Aitken and Josh Curran, who has been enjoying a breakout season.

They played the full 80 minutes last week, Curran making 175 metres and Aitken 156 while Curran had a try, three line breaks, a line break assist and a try assist. They both had four tackle breaks and were outstanding on defence, Curran with 42 tackles and one miss, Aitken with 39 and no misses.

The Vodafone Warriors go into Sunday’s critical encounter with the chance to secure their fourth straight victory, edging them closer to equalling the five-game winning sequence at the start of the 2018 campaign.