NSW Cup Team List: Young centre to make debut

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Thu 19 Jun 2025, 08:29 PM

With the club’s supply of available outside backs significantly reduced, Caelys Putoko has earned promotion from the One New Zealand Warriors’ under-21 side to make his New South Wales Cup debut against Penrith at Go Media Stadium on Saturday (2.40pm kick-off).

The opportunity has opened up for him with first-graders Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua injured and the Warriors also without stand-in centre and Queensland Origin hero Kurt Capewell.

That has seen NSW Cup centre Moala Graham-Taufa brought in for his first NRL outing of the season after being used three times last year.

He missed the reserve grade side’s 46-22 win over the Eels last weekend while winger Setu Tu was unable to finish the match after leaving the field after a head knock.

That results in Daeon Amituanai taking Tu’s place and 19-year-old Putoko coming into the centres.

Try time for One New Zealand Warriors centre Caelys Putoko in Jersey Flegg Cup win over the Bulldogs in Pukekohe.

A Hamilton Boys’ High School rugby union product, he had a spell with the Gold Coast Titans last season before linking up with the Warriors in the offseason. Now he steps up to the New South Wales Cup after five tries in 12 appearances for the Jersey Flegg side.

Another backline change has been forced at fullback with Taine Tuaupiki unavailable as he follows head injury protocols after being concussed late in the win over the Eels.

Round 16 - Saturday 21st June

Full Time

Warriors

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Geronimo Doyle

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Jaxen Edgar
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Jesse McLean
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Morgan Harper

Centre for Panthers is number 3 David Fale
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Caelys-Paul Putoko

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Sam Lane
Winger for Warriors is number 20 Garry Tuilekutu

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Asu Kepaoa
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Zach Lamont

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Tom Ale

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Austin Dias
Hooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa

Prop for Panthers is number 10 Preston Riki
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kayliss Fatialofa

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Mavrik Geyer
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Harrison Hassett
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kalani Going

Lock for Panthers is number 15 Billy Phillips

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jason Seu Salalilo

Interchange for Panthers is number 13 Riley Price
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Toby Crosby

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Nick Murphy
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Caleb Laiman

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Riley Wake
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Makaia Tafua

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zac Lipowicz

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Alvin Chong Nee

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Vea Tapa'atoutai

Last updated: 01:10 am Sunday 22nd June 2025

That brings Geronimo Doyle back in the #1 jersey back after playing at fullback in the Warriors’ first 10 games of the campaign as well as the round 14 win over Newtown.

Sam Healey is named to return at hooker after missing the last two NSW Cup matches, the first when he was called into the NRL side for the 40-10 win over the Sharks and the second when he was rested during the bye week.

For the competition-leading Warriors – seeking a 10th consecutive win – it’s another top four contest this week with the Panthers sitting fourth on the ladder but coming off a 6-38 loss to second-placed St George Illawarra.