Team List: Same starting lineup named for Magic Round
One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has named an unchanged starting lineup for Saturday’s Magic Round encounter with the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).
Webster made a late switch to the pack for the Anzac Day clash against Newcastle when he moved Leka Halasima off the interchange to start in the second with Marata Niukore going to prop and Jackson Ford to the bench.
He has retained that combination in the side announced today.
The only change from the 17 used in the 26-12 win over the Knights in Christchurch sees Te Maire Martin named on the bench replacing back rower Jacob Laban, who is subject to NRL concussion protocols resulting from a head knock during his 37-minute stint on Anzac Day when he made 41 metres from six runs and 27 tackles without a miss.
Coming onto the extended bench is another of the club’s young brigade Eddie Ieremia-Toeava.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Taine TuaupikiWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Warriors is number 5 Adam PompeyCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Warriors is number 23 Edward KosiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke MetcalfHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Marata NiukoreProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson FordInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Samuel HealeyInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire MartinReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Zac Laybutt
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The Warriors head into round nine facing a new Magic Round opponent in the Cowboys, who have turned their season around over the past five weeks.
They started the year with three straight losses to the Sea Eagles, Sharks and Broncos but have rebounded with four wins on end over the Raiders, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Titans, the last result a 50-18 margin coming off a bye.
That leaves them lying sixth on 10 points with the fifth-placed Broncos just behind the Warriors who are level with the Storm and Raiders on 12 points but fourth on points for and against differential.
The Warriors’ 5-2 start to their 2025 campaign has been bettered only once in the club’s history (in 2018 when they had a 6-1 record after their first seven games).
They’ve won their last three contests with the Cowboys, two in Townsville and one at Go Media Stadium coming into what is a home clash for the Warriors on neutral territory. This will be the 49th encounter between the two clubs with the Warriors holding a 26-22 advantage overall.
