NRLW Team List: More lineup changes for away trip
Injury and suspension have challenged the One New Zealand Warriors throughout their return to the NRLW and they’ve had to adapt to more disruption ahead of their round nine clash with the Dragons at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney on Saturday (3.15pm kick-off local time; 5.15pm NZT).
With centre Tysha Ikenasio and middle forward Matekino Gray already suspended, the team’s second most experienced player Laishon Albert-Jones has joined them.
A key influence in the side with 28 NRLW appearances so far, Albert-Jones will miss two games after taking an early guilty plea on a careless high tackle charge in Sunday’s 14-22 loss to the Sharks in Hamilton.
Out for the season is halfback Emily Curtain with an ACL knee injury and winger Michaela Brake is finished after falling pregnant.
Such is the impact of injury, suspension and unavailability that the Warriors have been able to name only 21 players this week instead of the allowable 22.
Match: Dragons v Warriors
Round 9 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan BerryFullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme MillardWinger for Warriors is number 2 Tyra Wetere
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Indie BostockCentre for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Keele BrowneCentre for Warriors is number 23 Paris Pickering
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Winger for Dragons is number 22 Maria PasekaWinger for Warriors is number 22 Kalyn Takitimu-Cook
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 9 Zali HopkinsFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia Maliepo
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Halfback for Dragons is number 6 Kasey RehHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Emmanita Paki
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Madison MulhallProp for Warriors is number 8 Ashlee Matapo
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Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Nita Maynard-PerrinHooker for Warriors is number 9 Lydia Turua-Quedley
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Bronte WilsonProp for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Shenai Lendill2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Shakira Baker
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 13 Ella Koster2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu
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Lock for Dragons is number 16 Trinity TauaneaiLock for Warriors is number 3 Kaiyah Atai
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte BashamInterchange for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia Kitai
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Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Pia TapsellInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Metanoia Fotu-Moala
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Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Tori ShiptonInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Avery-Rose Carmont
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Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Sara SautiaInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Felila Kia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Ahlivia IngramReplacement for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
On the positive side, powerful forward Metanoia Fotu-Moala is back after missing the game against the Sharks with a hamstring issue and winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku returns on the interchange from a week off following a head knock.
Fotu-Moala is named in the second row with Makayla Eli moved to replace Albert-Jones at loose forward while outside back Paris Pickering, just signed as a replacement player, is on the extended bench.
The same backline has been listed including wingers Payton Takimoana and Tyra Wetere, who scored all three of the Warriors’ three tries between them against the Sharks.
Takimoana has scored in each of her last seven games with her tally of 11 equalling the NRLW record for a season set by Teagan Berry with the Dragons in 2023.
A standout feature of the Warriors’ first season back in the competition has been their ability to create tries for their wingers on both edges.
Right winger Wetere, who had a try ruled out on debut against the Cowboys, has four in three games after snaring doubles in her last two outings, Brake had two in four games she played and Tauhalaliku scored in her club debut against the Raiders.
It means the four wingers have claimed a total of 18 tries between them with the only non-wingers to cross being standoff Patricia Maliepo with three, centre Ikenasio with two and props Fotu-Moala and Lauitiiti one each.
Despite back-to-back losses to the Raiders and the Sharks, the Warriors are just a point outside the top six on six points from three wins and five losses with the Titans just ahead of them.
The Dragons are 10th on four points after losing their last five games.
It means the four wingers have claimed a total of 18 tries between them with the only non-wingers to cross being standoff Patricia Maliepo with three, centre Ikenasio with two and props Fotu-Moala and Lauitiiti one each.
