Forward Metanoia Fotu-Moala has been called up to join fellow debutantes Makayla Eli and Avery-Rose Carmont in the One New Zealand Warriors’ round four encounter with the Gold Coast Titans at Go Media Stadium on Saturday (2.45pm kick-off).
She’ll become the third Fotu-Moala sibling to play in the competition joining twin sister Maatuleio and their older sister Teuila.
Head coach Ron Griffiths brought the recently-married 26-year-old onto the interchange bench late on Wednesday after originally-selected second rower Shakira Baker was ruled out with a pectoral injury.
That resulted in Maarire Puketapu, used off the bench in the first three matches, coming into the second row with Fotu-Moala added to the interchange.
Alongside her on the bench for their first NRLW matches are hooker and forward Eli.
Carmont comes in for Lydia Turua-Quedley, who starts at halfback this week for the injured Emily Curtain while Eli, the 18th player in the fiirst three games, has her opportunity after development player Ashlee Matapo was used against the Roosters, Eels and Knights.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 4 -
home Team
Warriors
10th Position
away Team
Titans
9th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Tonga international Fotu-Moala was the One New Zealand Warriors’ first signing from local football for the club’s return to the NRLW.
Former Kiwi Fern Teulia was a premiership winner with the Broncos in the NRLW’s first season in 2018 before signing with the Dragons Illawarra while Maatuleio is with the Bulldogs this season after her first NRLW campaign with St George Illawarra last year.
A McAuley High School product, Noia – as she is widely known – began her rugby league career with the Ōtāhuhu Leopards after her high school days while she has followed with stints for the Ponsonby Ponies and the Ōtara Scorpions.
