At home for the first time since their NRLW return, the One New Zealand Warriors face surprise round one winners the Eels in big test for both teams.
In an emotional return to the competition, the home side faced a tough away trip last week in their first assignment, taking on the reigning premiers the Roosters who showed their class to down the Warriors 30-6.
There were plenty of good signs to please Warriors coach Ron Griffiths, but they will need to be on song against a Parramatta team which showed against the Sharks that it won't be overawed.
Despite missing their co-captain Mahalia Murphy with injury and NSW representative Kennedy Cherrington, the Eels outplayed the highly-fancied Sharks, getting on the front foot early and sticking to their task for the rest of the game.
Match: Warriors v Eels
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
8th Position
away Team
Eels
9th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Ron Griffiths has named an unchanged side. Last the Warriors had 10 NRLW debutantes play in their loss to the Roosters> A number of players impressed in their first outing, including five-eighth Patricia Maliepo who crossed for their only try. Star sevens recruit Michaela Brake warmed into the match with some key involvements in the second half and has again been named on the wing.
Eels: The energetic Eels upset the Sharks last week, with coach Steve Georgallis sticking fast with the team, making only the one change to this week's match in New Zealand. Youngster Tess McWilliams reverts to the reserves, with Breanna Eales named to start at prop. Rosemarie Beckett is the new 18th player in place of Mia Middleton.
Match: Warriors v Eels
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Michaela BrakeWinger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha IkenasioCentre for Eels is number 3 Rory Owen
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita PakiCentre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay Tui
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton TakimoanaWinger for Eels is number 5 Martha Mataele
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia MaliepoFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Emily CurtainHalfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Harata ButlerProp for Eels is number 8 Elsie Albert
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri PaekauHooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia KitaiProp for Eels is number 19 Tess McWilliams
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Shakira Baker2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah Atai2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Paige Travis
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-JonesLock for Eels is number 13 Ryvrr-Lee Alo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Lydia Turua-QuedleyInterchange for Eels is number 10 Breanna Eales
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Maarire PuketapuInterchange for Eels is number 14 Taneka Todhunter
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee MatapoInterchange for Eels is number 15 Rysh'e Fa'amausili
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Matekino GrayInterchange for Eels is number 17 Fleur Ginn
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Makayla EliReplacement for Eels is number 18 Rosemarie Beckett
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have 10 players who made their NRLW debuts in round one while 16 were playing for the club for the first time.
- Apii Nicholls is the only Warriors player who appeared in the club's first NRLW home game in 2019.
- The Eels have won five of their past six away games.
- Warriors fullback Apii Nicholls will make her 30th NRLW appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
