Josh Curran returns for Stacey Jones' debut as Vodafone Warriors coach

Curran returns for Jones' debut as interim head coach

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 7 Jun 2022, 03:04 PM

Back rower Josh Curran makes a welcome return from a six-game injury lay-off for Stacey Jones’ debut as Vodafone Warriors interim head coach in Sunday’s 14th-round encounter with Cronulla Sutherland at Moreton Daily Stadium (6.15pm kick-off local time; 8.15pm NZT).

Curran, who turns 23 on Friday, has been out since the Anzac Day clash against Melbourne when he was helped off the field in the opening minute of the second half with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) strain in his right knee.

He has been named on the interchange in Jones’ first line-up since today being appointed to take over from departed head coach Nathan Brown.

The energetic Curran was outstanding in the opening seven rounds when he played big minutes, averaging 101 metres and 38 tackles a game.

With little time to take in developments on a hectic day, Jones has listed the same starting line-up used in last Saturday night’s 12-44 loss to Manly Warringah but has indicated there could be some changes to the side once he and the coaching staff have discussed options.

Curran has come onto the bench for hooker Taniela Otukolo who had just 10 minutes on the field against the Sea Eagles; he’s expected to build up his match minutes with feeder club Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup competition on Saturday.

Round 14 - Round 14 - Sunday 12 Jun

Full Time

Warriors

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jazz Tevaga

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie

2nd Row for Sharks is number 19 Wade Graham
Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Josh Curran

Interchange for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden Tolman
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Dunamis Lui

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braydon Trindall
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 22 Jesse Arthars

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor Tracey

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Nick Morel
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:50 AM

The only other change to the 17 –man squad used against Manly sees new signing Dunamis Lui return to the interchange for Aaron Pene; Pene is still in the extended squad but had just 13 minutes last Saturday after taking a knock.

Also listed on the extended bench is new halfback Ronald Volkman who made his debut for the Dolphins in their 54-0 win over the Ipswich Jets last weekend.

Three players close in on milestones this week.

Hooker Wayde Egan will make his 49th appearance for the Vodafone Warriors leaving him on track to reach the 50-mark against his old Penrith club on June 18

Prop Bunty Afoa and second rower Euan Aitken move within two games of significant marks, Afoa playing his 98th career match – all for the Vodafone Warriors – and Aitken his 148th overall. They’re set to achieve their milestones together in the team’s Mount Smart Stadium homecoming match against the Wests Tigers on July 3. Aitken also remains just a try short of 50 for his career including 10 in 26 games for the Vodafone Warriors.

Sunday’s match will be the Vodafone Warriors’ second to last at their adopted home ground in Redcliffe. Following the last against Penrith in round 15 they head to Auckland at last for their last four home games of the season.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
6.15pm, Sunday, June 12

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 REECE WALSH
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK
3 ROCCO BERRY
4 ADAM POMPEY
5 MARCELO MONTOYA
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 BEN MURDOCH-MASILA
9 WAYDE EGAN
10 JAZZ TEVAGA
11 EUAN AITKEN
12 TOHU HARRIS (c)
13 JACK MURCHIE
Extended bench:
14 JOSH CURRAN
15 BUNTY AFOA
16 DUNAMIS LUI
17 BAYLEY SIRONEN
18 FREDDY LUSSICK
20 AARON PENE
21 ELIESA KATOA
22 JESSE ARTHARS
23 RONALD VOLKMAN