Confirmed Line-up: Late switches for One New Zealand Warriors

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Fri 12 May 2023, 04:59 PM

One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has made two late line-up switches for tonight’s 11th-round NRL match against Canterbury Bankstown at Accor Stadium in Sydney (6.00pm kick-off local time; 8.00pm NZT).

As he did last week, he had swapped out his hookers with Freddy Lussick moved off the bench to start and the experienced Wayde Egan shifted to the interchange to come on midway through the first half.

Webster has also made a change on the bench by bringing in 64-game back rower Bayley Sironen to join Egan, utility Dylan Walker and front rower Tom Ale. Sironen was selected in jersey #18 when the team was named on Tuesday.

That sees two-game rookie Demitric Sifakula moving to 19th man after being used off the bench in the last two matches against the Roosters and Penrith.

Fullback Taine Tuaupiki is 18th man.

The three players omitted from the extended 22-man squad at the 24-hour cut-off last night were centres Ali Leiataua and Viliam Vailea plus back rower Kalani Going.

All three have been named to line up for the club's New South Wales Cup side against the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground tomorrow.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Friday 12 May

Full Time

Bulldogs

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake Wilson

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Josh Reynolds

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Ronald Volkman
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt Burton

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Bulldogs is number 17 Harrison Edwards

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Karl Oloapu

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden Okunbor

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Franklin Pele

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Bayley Sironen

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 23 Kurtis Morrin

Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:49 AM

With back rower Jackson Ford (concussion) and winger Edward Kosi (knee) ruled out, Josh Curran has been brought in to replace regular starter Ford while centre Rocco Berry has been called in for his first NRL appearance of the year with Marcelo Montoya moving onto the wing for Kosi.

Webster has also made a key selection decision in the halves by naming Ronald Volkman in the #6 jersey, a move which results in Walker reverting to his preferred role coming off the interchange bench.

Walker was brought into the halves after first-choice standoff Te Maire Martin broke his fibula against Newcastle a month ago.

Earlier he and Jazz Tevaga had given the One New Zealand Warriors a potent double act from the bench, a partnership broken up by Walker’s shift to the halves and then the calf injury which has sidelined Tevaga for some time.

Webster said the team’s interests were best served by having Walker on the interchange to add impact in the middle of the park.

Walker partnered Shaun Johnson in the halves for four matches but makes way for the 20-year-old Volkman, who has been impressive for the club’s successful New South Wales side.

Volkman will make his fourth NRL appearance, his second this season after last being used in the dramatic 32-30 win over Cronulla Sutherland in round five.

Berry’s return to the NRL stage is the other significant feature of the line-up named.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played at first-grade level since his 15th appearance in the round 14 match against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 11 months ago.

After being sidelined with a thigh injury he made a strong comeback with two tries and 142 metres from 14 runs for the New South Wales Cup side last Saturday.