JFC Team List: Warriors' promising halfback named for comeboack

JFC Team List: Promising halfback named for comeboack

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 3 May 2025, 09:24 AM

Halfback Jack Thompson was one of the stars of the One New Zealand Warriors’ Harold Matthews Cup grand final win last year, and, appropriately on the same day as the 2025 decider, he’s due to make his comeback from a long layoff.

But while this year’s Harold Matthews side will be on the grand final stage in Sydney today, the now 19-year-old Thompson is in line to make his Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) debut in suburban Melbourne.

Playing at Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows (1.30pm kick-off local time; 3.30pm NZT), Thompson has been paired in the halves with captain Jett Cleary.

Signed from Newcastle midway through last year’s Harold Matthews Cup season, Thompson quickly established himself with the Warriors highlighted by an outstanding two-try performance in the grand final win over Western Suburbs.

Round 9 - Saturday 3rd May

Full Time

Storm

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Blake Kehl

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Caelys-Paul Putoko
Winger for Storm is number 2 Jiale Litidamu

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Brandon Norris
Centre for Storm is number 3 Eli Morris

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Patrick Moimoi
Centre for Storm is number 4 Luke Cesari

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Jarome Falemoe
Winger for Storm is number 5 Liam Nebauer

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal Sio
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Waka Hammond

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Jack Thompson
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Dylan Brettle

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jett Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 K-CI Newton-Whare

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Mikaele Ilaiu
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Gabriel Satrick

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jacob Auloa
Prop for Storm is number 10 Suli Pole

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotu Vea
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Preston Conn

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Presley Seumanu Tigafua
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Frank Howarth

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Alvin Chong Nee
Lock for Storm is number 13 Angus Hinchey

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Etuate Fukofuka

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Jai Bowden

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Jordan Blundell

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Paea Sikuvea
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Zayvian Langkilde-Fale

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Kalani Peyroux-Donaldson
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Cooper Clarke

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kahu Capper

Reserves

Replacement for Storm is number 18 Tyrell Hopkins

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Tallan Egan

Last updated: 02:14 am Monday 5th May 2025

A long-term injury ruled him out of playing for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup (under-19) team this year but now he’s set to take the step up.

He joins a Warriors side which faces an imposing mission against the Jersey Flegg’s second-placed Storm. They’re one point behind leader Penrith with just one loss so far – a shock 26-34 defeat by the Silktails two weeks ago – but they rebounded with a 52-14 trouncing of the Raiders last week.

One New Zealand Warriors halfback Jack Thompson scoring one of his two tries in last year's Harold Matthews Cup grand final.

Since a disappointing first-round performance against Canberra, the Warriors have improved significantly with two wins, two draws and a six-point loss in their last five matches to lie ninth, equal on points with the eighth-placed Roosters.

While Thompson is making a reappearance after a long stint on the sidelines, young centre Patrick Moimoi made a successful try-scoring comeback from knee surgery last week.