HMC Team List: Victory needed for Warriors to stay in contact

HMC Team List: Victory needed to stay in contact

Author: Richard Becht warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Tue 10 Mar 2026, 05:20 PM

Success is critical for the One New Zealand Warriors on Sunday if they’re to stay in contact for finals football in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) competition.

The back-to-back defending premiers sit 10th on four points with four games left in their regular season as they take on the Balmain Tigers at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney (12.00pm kick-off local time; 2.00pm NZT).

While they’ve had just one win they were in the hunt in the other three games they’ve played against the Sea Eagles (18-24), Rabbitohs (16-28) and Bulldogs (16-26).

The Tigers have had a wretched campaign so far with four straight losses against the Central Coast Roosters, Eels, Magpies and Storm although they were only just edged out 18-16 by Melbourne last week.

First-year coach Albert Vete has made some selection moves this week, most interest centred on taking captain Tusi Fanolua out of the pack and naming him in the centres.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Sunday 15 Mar

1:00 am

Tigers

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Tigers is number 1 Thomas Aroyan

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Kaian Olsen
Winger for Tigers is number 2 Sione Maea

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Steven Live Luatua
Centre for Tigers is number 3 Zac Bechara

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Daniel Kali
Centre for Tigers is number 4 Maleko Mateni

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Tusi Fanolua
Winger for Tigers is number 5 James Kerr

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Chris Sau
Five-Eighth for Tigers is number 6 Matteo Reupena-Dunn

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Bailey Maruariki-Butler
Halfback for Tigers is number 7 Marcus Cesaro

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Keanu Simpson

Forwards

Prop for Tigers is number 8 Noah Vaotangi

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Kenny Lafituanai
Hooker for Tigers is number 9 Levi Ellis
Prop for Tigers is number 10 Sioeli Iongi

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Shannon Pai
2nd Row for Tigers is number 11 Ratu Maafu

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Rilee McGrath Huggins
2nd Row for Tigers is number 12 Hinodeshima Teaupa

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Satali Asolelei Fretton
Lock for Tigers is number 13 Darby Fotheringham

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Christiano Elia

Interchange

Interchange for Tigers is number 14 Charlie Burey

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Kayce Perese-Sukroo
Interchange for Tigers is number 15 Hamish MALONE

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Hoani-Manuera Kahukiwa
Interchange for Tigers is number 16 Charbel TAOUK

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tangifetaua Fangupo
Interchange for Tigers is number 17 Sosaia Unga

Reserves

Replacement for Tigers is number 18 Beau ROOTSEY

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Nathandavid Tapusoa
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Robert Pange
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Liam De Har-Elliott
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Blake Bruce
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Hemiata Togia