Confirmed Line-up: Jazz Tevaga starts against Sharks

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sun 2 Apr 2023, 03:07 PM

One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has made a late swap to his starting line-up by confirming Jazz Tevaga will start at loose forward in today’s fifth-round NRL encounter with Cronulla-Sutherland at PointsBet Stadium (4.05pm kick-off local time; 6.05pm NZT).

In reducing the squad 24 hours before kick-off, Webster had listed utility Dylan Walker to replace injured captain Tohu Harris.

But in declaring the final side an hour before kick-off today the first-year coach has brought the combative Tevaga into the run-on side.

Tevaga and Walker are split up for the first time after being used in a double interchange capacity in the past two wins over North Queensland and Canterbury.

With Harris out, Josh Curran has come onto the bench for his third appearance of the season after missing the last two matches against North Queensland and the Bulldogs.

Hooker Wayde Egan, returning from a week off for concussion, takes over as captain.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 2 Apr

Full Time

Sharks

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Ronald Volkman
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braydon Trindall

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Josh Curran

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 21 Samuel Stonestreet

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Freddy Lussick

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:37 AM

With standoff Te Maire Martin ruled out through concussion, 20-year-old Ronald Volkman partners the in-form Shaun Johnson in the halves for the third time in his three-match NRL career.

Volkman has been in fine touch in the New South Wales Cup where he has helped the One New Zealand Warriors to a three wins-one loss record to sit third on the ladder.

He is one off the lead for try assists and line break assists with five of each and has the most kicks (53) and kick metres (1296). He is also averaging 95 per cent with the boot after kicking 19 goals.

The One New Zealand Warriors’ 3-1 start to the season is one of the best in the club’s history, bettered only once (four from four in 2018) but the club now enters another testing phase with the second of two back-to-back road assignments in the opening six rounds.

They travelled to the Roosters and North Queensland in rounds two and three and have been handed a second dose with the Sharks and the Knights on the road in the next two weeks.

After four rounds the One New Zealand Warriors have the best completion rate (83 per cent), the most line breaks (25) and line break assists (20), the third most runs (755) and the third most kick return metres (746).

The Sharks, fortified by the return of Dally M winner Nicho Hynes, are also among the competition’s best in a number of categories.

Lying sixth two points behind the fourth-placed One New Zealand Warriors, Cronulla has scored the most points (108) and most tries (19), has the most try assists (18) and is second for most line breaks (23) and line break assists (19).