One New Zealand Warriors centre Ali Leiataua is out of Saturday’s NRL Magic Round clash against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).
Leiataua was initially named in an unchanged starting lineup for the round nine match but has been ruled out after picking up an ankle injury in Thursday’s field session.
His absence results in the experienced Adam Pompey being moved back into the centres with Edward Kosi being brought in on the left wing.
As well as Leiataua, the other two players omitted from the extended squad at the 24-hour deadline are halfback Tanah Boyd and second rower 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
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
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Centre for Warriors is number 5 Adam PompeyCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
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Winger for Warriors is number 23 Edward KosiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke MetcalfHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Marata NiukoreProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
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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
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
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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:
Head coach Andrew Webster has named Leka Halasima to start in the second row again with Marata Niukore confirmed at prop, as they did in the 26-12 Anzac Day win against Newcastle.
One change was made on the bench with Te Maire Martin coming in to replace 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.
The Warriors head into Magic Round’s 2025 edition facing a new 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 second equal with the Storm and Raiders on 12 points but fourth on points for and against differential. The Bulldogs top the ladder on 14 points.
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.
Magic Round immediately evokes memories of one of the greatest triumphs in the club’s history when an injury-ravaged side held of defending premier Penrith to win 22-20.
