Three SG Ball Cup (under-19) players have been called into the One New Zealand Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) side for Saturday’s round six encounter with Cronulla Sutherland at the Trusts Arena in Waitakere (11.00am kick-off).
With the SG Ball campaign finishing last weekend, captain Kahu Capper, loose forward Paea Sikuvea and front rower Gordon Afoa all move up.
They come into a One New Zealand Warriors side which had its first win of the season last week – beating the Silktails 28-18 in Lautoka – after a 20-20 draw with Wests Tigers in round four.
Apart from selecting the SG Ball trio, there are a number of other changes to the squad.
Capper comes into the centres for injured Sio Kali (hamstring), Caelys Putoko is named to start at fullback and ex-Nelson College First XV rugby union product Tylah Blake is set to debut in the halves with Luke Hanson in the New South Wales Cup squad.
Match: Warriors v Sharks
Round 6 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Caelys-Paul PutokoFullback for Sharks is number 1 Adrian Sandy
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Harry Tauafiafi-IutoiWinger for Sharks is number 2 Pharrell Gray
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Kahu CapperCentre for Sharks is number 3 John-Paul Donevski
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Centre for Warriors is number 21 Jarome FalemoeCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kurt Montgomery
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal SioWinger for Sharks is number 5 Richard Whalebone
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Tylah BlakeFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Ashton Simmonds
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jett ClearyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Taj Ford
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Harry DurbinProp for Sharks is number 8 Luke Raymond
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Makaia TafuaHooker for Sharks is number 9 Jai Camilleri
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Francis TuimaugaProp for Sharks is number 15 Manako Piutau
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Kite2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Cooper Hannay
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Alvin Chong Nee2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Dylan Coutts
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Gordon Pailegutu Taanuu AfoaLock for Sharks is number 17 Lachlan Araullo
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jacob AuloaInterchange for Sharks is number 10 Lachlan Crossle
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Presley Seumanu TigafuaInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Jackson Rieck
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Emosi RavosaiInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Richie Tupuailei
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tallan EganInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Harrison Hood
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Malakai CamaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 William Charles
Last updated:
Francis Tuimauga comes into the front row for Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea and Sikuvea raplces Jason Salalilo, who is also on NSW Cup duty this week.
Capper played in all nine of the Warriors’ SG Ball matches this year while Sikuvea appeared in seven and Afoa in the last three after a delayed start to the season; Afoa was in the club’s grand final-winning Harold Matthews Cup side last year.
Since opening their 2025 Jersey Flegg campaign with a disappointing loss, the Warriors have shown improvement losing 28-32 to the Sea Eagles and 22-34 to the Roosters before drawing with the Tigers and defying the opposition and oppressive heat conditions to win in Lautoka last Saturday.
The Sharks have had a 3-2 start to the season to lie fifth on the ladder.
