HMC Team List: Time running out for shot at finals

Author: Richard Becht warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Wed 18 Mar 2026, 02:00 PM

Chances of playing Harold Matthews Cup finals football for the third straight year have taken a hit as the One New Zealand Warriors enter the last three rounds of the regular season.

Last Sunday’s 22-24 loss to Balmain was a bitter blow leaving the back-to-back premiers lying 13th on four points.

While they’re only two points away from eighth spot, four teams are locked on six.

All of which means the Warriors will need to win each of their last three games in the regular season and inevitably rely on other results to fall their way.

First up they face the fifth-placed Eels who are fifth on the ladder on eight points with a 3-2 record followed by the Western Suburbs Magpies (16th on two points) and the Illawarra Steelers (fourth on 10 points).

Round 7 - Round 7 - Friday 20 Mar

Full Time

Eels

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Liam Martin

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Kaian Olsen
Winger for Eels is number 2 Elijah Alhazim

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Makarios Vaihola
Centre for Eels is number 3 Leonard Salter

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Hoani-Manuera Kahukiwa
Centre for Eels is number 4 Lorima Seuseu

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Satali Asolelei Fretton
Winger for Eels is number 5 William Memea Epe

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Lennox-Rua Limu Franklin
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Levi Perrett

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Jackson Robinson
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Caleb Leiataua

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Keanu Simpson

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Deon Haynes

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Kenny Lafituanai
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Spencer Sorensen

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Kayce Perese-Sukroo
Prop for Eels is number 10 Christopher Suaalii

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Shannon Pai
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jake Capovilla

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Tusi Fanolua
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Tyson Puleitu

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Rilee McGrath Huggins
Lock for Eels is number 13 Hayden Bell

Lock for Warriors is number 15 Robert Pange

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Salatielu Tamati

Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Christiano Elia
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Curtis Brown

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Agelu Malaesilia
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Thomas Jackson

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Hemiata Togia
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Winston Tahi

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Karcin Puna

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 19 Tyler Lama

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Shaye McEwan

Last updated: 3/22/2026 10:13:08 PM

The Eels started their campaign with three straight wins over the Magpies, Sharks and Tigers but have lost their last two to the Steelers and Rabbitohs.

Frustratingly for the Warriors their four losses have all come in contests they had every chance to win, not least against the Tigers last week.

They’ll field a vastly different lineup against the Eels at James Hardie Centre of Excellence in Kellyville, Sydney, on Saturday (10.30am kick-off local time; 12.30pm NZT).

Only two players from last week’s backline – fullback Kaian Olsen and halfback Keanu Simpson – are named to start while there are also two changes in the starting forward pack.