Ivana Lauitiiti and Kalyn Takitimu-Cook have been retained in the 19-strong game day squad for the One New Zealand Warriors’ round four NRLW clash against Gold Coast at Go Media Stadium tomorrow (2.45pm kick-off).
With second rower Shakira Baker ruled out on Wednesday, the other two players omitted from the extended squad at the 24-houre deadline are utility Tyra Wetere and prop Ashlee Matapo.
Forward Makayla Eli and Metanoia Fotu-Moala plus hooker Avery-Rose Carmont will all make their NRLW debuts.
After being the 18th player for the first three matches, 23-year-old Ōtāhuhu Leopards junior Eli replaces Ashlee Matapo on the bench.
With experienced halfback Emily Curtain forced out with a hip injury, Lydia Turua-Quedley (26) has her first start after being used off the interchange as the back-up hooker in the first three rounds.
That results in Carmont coming onto the interchange bench for her first NRLW match while Baker's absence sees Maarire Puketapu moved off the bench to start in the second row with Fotu-Moala brought onto the interchange for her breakthrough appearance.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 4 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Titans is number 1 Jaime Chapman
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Michaela BrakeWinger for Titans is number 2 Georgia Grey
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha IkenasioCentre for Titans is number 3 Sarina Masaga
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita PakiCentre for Titans is number 4 Ivana Lolesio
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton TakimoanaWinger for Titans is number 5 Lily Patston
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia MaliepoFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Lydia Turua-QuedleyHalfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Harata ButlerProp for Titans is number 10 Jessika Elliston
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri PaekauHooker for Titans is number 13 Georgia Hale
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino GrayProp for Titans is number 17 Takoda Thompson
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah Atai2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Jasmine Solia
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Maarire Puketapu2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Shaylee Bent
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-JonesLock for Titans is number 8 Sienna Lofipo
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Avery-Rose CarmontInterchange for Titans is number 9 Lily-Rose Kolc
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Lavinia KitaiInterchange for Titans is number 14 Lailani Montgomery
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Makayla EliInterchange for Titans is number 15 Laikha Clarke
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Metanoia Fotu-MoalaInterchange for Titans is number 16 Natasha Penitani
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 22 Ivana LauitiitiReplacement for Titans is number 18 Taliah Fuimaono
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Head coach Ron Griffiths has also made an adjustment to the starting forward back by bringing former Titans forward Matekino Gray into the front row with Lavinia Kitai moving to the interchange.
The Warriors are coming off a 20-36 defeat by the Knights in what is one of the most challenging away games in the competition.
They opened disappointingly as the strong Newcastle side ran out to a 24-0 lead but then finished the match strongly by restricting the Knights to just two more tries while score 20 points themselves with their tries coming through rugby union converts Payton Takimoana – with the Warriors’ first NRLW hat-trick – and Michaela Brake.
The converts have now scored all the Warriors’ points between them so far with Takimoana dotting down four times, Brake twice and Tysha Ikenasio and Patricia Maliepo once each while Maliepo has kicked four conversions.
Leading the way with try assists to date is captain Apii Nicholls with three – two against the Knights – while centre Emmanita Paki also had two try assists on Sunday night.
After losses to the Cowboys (6-20) and the Broncos (4-44) in the opening two rounds, the Titans recovered with a 24-12 win over Wests Tigers. They’ll be boosted by the return of their captain – and former Warriors skipper – Georgia Hale who was suspended last week.
