Tyra Wetere and Ivana Lauitiiti will make their NRLW debuts in a One New Zealand Warriors side which will be missing winger Michaela Brake in today’s Magic Round clash against North Queensland at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle (11.50am kick-off local time; 1.50pm NZT).
With Brake unavailable for personal reasons, the 19-year-old Wetere comes in for her on the right wing.
Along with former Black Fern Shakira Baker, the former Mount Maunganui College student was one of the first two players signed by the Warriors this season from a rugby union background.
Prop Lauitiiti (18) - daughter of Warriors great Ali Lauitiiti - has been brought onto the bench replacing former Knights forward Felila Kia. Kia had been selected to play her first game for the club but has been ruled out with injury.
Experienced halfback Emily Curtain returns to the side from injury but middle forward Matekino Gray is sidelined.
Match: Cowboys v Warriors
Round 5 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jakiya WhitfeldFullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal BlackwellWinger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail RoacheCentre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita Paki
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Francesca GoldthorpWinger for Warriors is number 19 Tyra Wetere
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Rosie KellyFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia Maliepo
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tahlulah TillettHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Emily Curtain
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Lillian YarrowProp for Warriors is number 8 Metanoia Fotu-Moala
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma ManzelmannHooker for Warriors is number 9 Lydia Turua-Quedley
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie WealeProp for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia Kitai
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah Atai
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree ChesterLock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-Jones
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-MaunsellInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha FoordInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily PeacockInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Najvada GeorgeInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Ivana Lauitiiti
Reserves
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Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Lily DickReplacement for Warriors is number 21 Avery-Rose Carmont
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Curtain, who was in the #7 jersey in the first three rounds, missed last Saturday’s home game against the Titans with a hip injury but has recovered to slot back into the side this week.
While her return is a boost, the Warriors have lost experience with Gray sidelined for a week as she follows concussion protocols following a head knock during the 10-20 loss to the Titans. Baker, impressive in the opening three rounds, is also out again with a pectoral injury.
Back in the starting front row is Lavinia Kitai after a strong performance from the bench against the Titans when she made 134 metres from 15 runs along with 33 tackles.
After making her debut – and a try-scoring one – last Saturday, Metanoia Fotu-Moala has been brought off the interchange to start at prop with the seasoned Harata Butler set for an impact role from the bench this week.
There’s a swap at hooker with Lydia Turua-Quedley, used at halfback against the Titans, named in the #9 jersey with Capri Paekau, the starting hooker in the first four matches, moved to the interchange.
The Warriors face a Cowboys side sitting fourth on the ladder with a 3-1 record coming off a 26-0 shutout of the Raiders last weekend.
It’s the Warriors’ second long haul trip to Newcastle in two weeks following their 20-36 loss there to the Knights in round three.
