Prop Metanoia Fotu-Moala has been ruled out of the One New Zealand Warriors’ round 10 NRLW encounter with the Brisbane Broncos at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton tomorrow (2.00pm kick-off).
She has again been troubled by a hamstring issue which forced her out of the round eight match against the Sharks in Hamilton two weeks ago.
Fotu-Moala returned to face the Dragons last weekend but has today been scratched with Lavinia Kitai moved off the interchange to start in what will be her 10th consecutive appearance in her rookie season.
Coming onto the bench from the extended squad is development player Ashlee Matapo for her seventh outing.
While the Warriors have lost a key player in Fotu-Moala they welcome back powerful middle forward Matekino Gray from a two-match suspension.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 10 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Tyra WetereWinger for Broncos is number 2 Kerri Johnson
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Payton TakimoanaCentre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Paris PickeringCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Lavinia TauhalalikuWinger for Broncos is number 5 Hayley Maddick
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia MaliepoFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Emmanita PakiHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino GrayProp for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri PaekauHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson
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Prop for Warriors is number 16 Lavinia KitaiProp for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Lauren Dam
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kaiyah AtaiLock for Broncos is number 13 Keilee Joseph
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Lydia Turua-QuedleyInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Shalom Sauaso
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata ButlerInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ivana LauitiitiInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Azalleyah Maaka
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Interchange for Warriors is number 23 Ashlee MatapoInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Reegan Hicks
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Avery-Rose CarmontReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Skyla Adams
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Harata Butler, who started in the 18-26 loss to the Dragons, reverts to an impact role on the interchange with last week’s starting hooker Lydia Turua-Quedley also on the bench.
Head coach Ron Griffiths has named the same starting back row of Maarire Puketapu, Shakira Baker and Kaiyah Atai while bringing back 19-year-old prop Ivana Lauitiiti on the interchange.
He has made one change to the backline where Lavinia Tauhalaliku returns on the wing.
The Warriors go into their third and final home game in Hamilton seeking their first win there after tight losses to Canberra (16-20) and Cronulla Sutherland (14-22).
They remain seventh on the ladder on six points with a 3-6 record despite a run of three losses in contests they might well have won over the past three weeks.
With a 2.00pm kick-off on Father’s Day and a promising weather forecast it’s hoped the match will attract the best crowd so far at the home away from home following strong attendances of 5968 and 5712 in the first two games.
Added appeal will be provided by the star-studded Broncos who boast Kiwi Ferns Mele Hufanga, Gayle Broughton, Annetta Nu’uausala and Brianna Clark as well as the legendary Ali Brigginshaw and Tamika Upton.
For their part the Warriors boast the prolific Payton Takimoana who has scored in each of her last eight matches with 13 tries in total to set a record for the most tries in an NRLW season, a mark she now shares with Upton.
In Brisbane the Warriors face a formidable challenge with the Broncos coming off a 44-0 win over the Bulldogs while they also posted more than 40 points in three other games.
The Warriors have had a win and two losses in previous contests against the Broncos winning 10-8 in 2019.
