NRL Confirmed Lineup: Webster makes late changes
One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has confirmed two late changes for today’s NRL elimination playoff against the Penrith Panthers at Go Media Stadium (6.05pm kick-off).
Kurt Capewell, named in the centres on Tuesday, switches to the second row with rookie Leka Halasima starting in the centres where he was used after Rocco Berry was injured in the opening minutes of last week’s final regular season match against the Sea Eagles.
Webster has also made a change on the bench bringing in hooker Sam Healey with back rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeva moved out and named 18th man.
Hard-working prop Jackson Ford and hooker Wayde Egan return for what is the Warriors’ fifth home final dating back to the first against Canberra in 2002 followed by Parramatta in 2007, the Roosters in 2008 and Newcastle in 2023.
The 27-year-old Ford last played in the 14-10 win over St George Illawarra in round 24 after which he was suspended for three matches for a crusher tackle.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
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Centre for Warriors is number 11 Leka HalasimaCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire MartinInterchange for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Samuel HealeyInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Thomas Jenkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Egan missed last week’s final regular season match against the Sea Eagles meaning he will now make his 150th career appearance against his original NRL club.
Renowned for his reliable engine, Ford provides a much-needed injection of experience as he eyes his 97th career appearance in the Warriors’ second home final in two years.
Ford missed just one of the Warriors’ 21 matches before his suspension again proving his capacity for a heavy workload.
Used predominantly from the bench in the first 17 rounds, he was switched to a starting prop’s role in his last six matches in which he averaged 65 minutes, 127 metres and 43 tackles a game.
He is reunited in the front row with captain James Fisher-Harris with rookie Tanner Stowers-Smith reverting to the bench after starting the last three matches.
After finishing sixth on 34 points in the regular season, the Warriors earned a home playoff against familiar finals opponents the Panthers, who were seventh on the ladder one point behind.
Of the Warriors’ 21 finals matches since their first in 2001, three have been against the Panthers in 2003, 2018 and 2023, the most of any club.
