Front rower Demitric Vaimauga has been ruled out of the One New Zealand Warriors’ round 22 NRL clash against the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium tomorrow night (8.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: Gatorade).
The 21-year-old Vaimauga, who had featured in all 18 games this year, was named to replace captain James Fisher-Harris (calf) but has been withdrawn with a knee injury.
That sees rookie and fellow 21-year-old Tanner Stowers-Smith elevated from the bench for his seventh NRL appearance while veteran front rower Bunty Afoa has been brought onto the interchange.
Apart from Vaimauga, the other two players omitted from the extended squad at the 24-hour deadline are back rower Kalani Going and hooker Makaia Tafua.
Retained in the game day 19 are second rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and winger Edward Kosi.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Round 22 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 14 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Max Feagai
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Jake Averillo
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire MartinFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Dolphins is number 8 Francis Molo
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Samuel HealeyHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata NiukoreProp for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Oryn Keeley
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Dolphins is number 13 Kurt Donoghoe
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jacob LabanInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray Stone
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Freddy LussickInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Aublix Tawha
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Mark Nicholls
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Josh Kerr
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Edward KosiReplacement for Dolphins is number 20 LJ Nonu
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
As well as Vaimauga and Fisher-Harris, the One New Zealand Warriors are also without hooker Wayde Egan and standoff Chanel Harris-Tavita; like Vaimauga, Harris-Tavita had played every game this season until now. He is out for a week with a calf injury while Egan is following NRL concussion protocols after a head injury early in last Saturday’s 16-24 loss to the Gold Coast Titans.
In Fisher-Harris’ absence Queenland Origin winner Kurt Capewell will lead the side, rookie hooker Sam Healey comes in for his third NRL appearance this season and Te Maire Martin moves off the bench to start in the halves.
Brought onto the interchange are utility back Taine Tuaupiki plus Freddy Lussick, who is set for his first NRL start of the season after rotating between hooker and prop for the club’s competition-leading New South Wales Cup side.
The Warriors find themselves in a similar injury predicament to the one they endured in the corresponding match against the Dolphins in round 12 last year when they overcame a huge injury toll to win 24-20.
Fisher-Harris, Egan, Harris-Tavita and Vaimauga join an injury list which also includes Mitchell Barnett, Luke Metcalf, Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua; between them the eight players account for more than 750 NRL appearances.
Despite last Saturday’s setback the Warriors remain fourth on the ladder on 30 points, three points ahead of the fifth-placed Penrith.
The Dolphins are eighth on 24 points coming off a bye following a 43-24 win over the Cowboys.
