Emotions will be running high when the One New Zealand Warriors mark history from a number of angles in tonight's NRLW match against the Canberra Raiders at FMG Stadium Waikato/Home of the Tainui People in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa.
For one it's the first of three standalone games for the Warriors at their new home ground for the rest of the regular season.
More than that, the occasion takes on special meaning coinciding with the second week of the NRLW's Indigenous Round.
Adding to the flavour, the Warriors will debut the club's first-ever NRLW indigenous jersey - Te Kahu Here - on a night that will resonate deeply with Waikato products Harata Butler and Capri Paekau.
After two away games, the Warriors are back home hosting a Raiders side desperate to spring an upset to claim their first win after six straight losses.
The Raiders have shown fight in their past two losses but haven't been able to turn their winless fortunes around, going down 28-44 to the high-flying Broncos last week.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 7 -
home Team
Warriors
6th Position
away Team
Raiders
12th Position
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: A number of key changes were made at the 24-hour deadline with halfback Emily Curtain out after suffering a season-ending knee injury in training during the week. Also ruled out were captain and fullback Apii Nicholls (pectoral) and standoff Patricia Maliepo (calf). Emmanita Paki was named at fullback, second rower Kaiyah Atai in the centres, Shakira Baker and Lydia Turua-Quedley in the halves, Matekino Gray in the second row, Capri Paekau at hooker and Avery-Rose Carmont and Makayla Eli were added to the interchange. Promoted from the extended squad was winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku who will make her club debut.
Raiders: Mackenzie Wiki shifts to the wing to cover for Madison Bartlett (collarbone), with Cheyelle Robins-Reti coming into the centres. Jordyn Preston came into the second row at the 24-hour mark with Amelia Pasikala added to the interchange.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 7 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita PakiFullback for Raiders is number 1 Elise Simpson
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton TakimoanaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Mackenzie Wiki
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha IkenasioCentre for Raiders is number 3 Leianne Tufuga
-
Centre for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah AtaiCentre for Raiders is number 4 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
-
Winger for Warriors is number 20 Lavinia TauhalalikuWinger for Raiders is number 5 Relna Wuruki-Hosea
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 22 Shakira BakerFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Sereana Naitokatoka
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 9 Lydia Turua-QuedleyHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Zahara Temara
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Metanoia Fotu-MoalaProp for Raiders is number 8 Chloe Saunders
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 14 Capri PaekauHooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia KitaiProp for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Matekino Gray2nd Row for Raiders is number 16 Jordyn Preston
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-JonesLock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Harata ButlerInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ivana LauitiitiInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Tatiana Finau
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Avery-Rose CarmontInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Kerehitina Matua
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Makayla EliInterchange for Raiders is number 19 Amelia Pasikala
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 23 Ashlee MatapoReplacement for Raiders is number 20 Isabella Waterman
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won only one of three games played on New Zealand soil.
- The Raiders will play their first game in New Zealand.
- Warriors winger Payten Takimoana has scored seven tries in her last five games.
- The Raiders have six New Zealand-born players in their line-up.
- The Warriors have conceded only 12 points in their last two games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
