NRL Team List: Demitric Vaimauga in for injured Mitchell Barnett

NRL Team List: Vaimauga replacement for Barnett

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 31 Mar 2026, 03:59 PM

Demitric Vaimauga in for the injured Mitchell Barnett is the only change to the 17 used last week for the One New Zealand Warriors’ round five NRL encounter with the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Ocean Protect Stadium in Sydney on Sunday (2.00pm kick-off local time; 4.00pm NZT).

The 31-year-old Barnett was forced to wait 293 days to make his comeback from knee surgery but after just two games (and 87 minutes) he is now out for a yet be determined period after breaking his right thumb against the Wests Tigers last Friday.

With the co-captain on the sideline, head coach Andrew Webster has listed Vaimauga in the 17 after he was left out last week.

That in turn sees a change in the selected reserves with Eddie Ieremia-Toeava joining Chanel Harris-Tavita. Completing the extended 22-man squad are second rower Morgan Gannon – back from following concussion protocols – winger Alofia’ana Khan-Pereira and centre Ali Leiataua; all three have been named in the club’s New South Wales Cup side to face the Newtown Jets at Henson Park on Saturday.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 5 Apr

4:00 am

Sharks

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Uele

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Mawene Hiroti

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Jayden Berrell

Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Morgan Gannon
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Michael Gabrael

Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Briton Nikora

Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Ali Leiataua

Briton Nikora
Jayden Berrell
Mawene Hiroti
Michael Gabrael

Ali Leiataua
Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Morgan Gannon

Chris Vea'ila

Mitchell Barnett

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 3/31/2026 6:01:05 AM

As well as Barnett the other senior NRL players still unavailable are second rower Kurt Capewell (calf), halfback Te Maire Martin (leg) and centre Rocco Berry (shoulder).

Last week’s first loss of the season has left the One New Zealand Warriors second behind the Panthers, the competition’s only unbeaten side after four rounds.

It ended a brief one-week reign holding down first spot on the ladder, just the third time the Warriors have claimed the #1 position in their 31-year history (first for a week after round one in 2019 and first after round 26 – and winners of the minor premiership – in 2002).

With a 3-1 record the Warriors now face a Sharks side with a 2-2 scorecard sitting ninth on the ladder after mixed performances.

They dominated the Titans 50-10 in round one but then fell 6-26 to the Panthers and 10-38 to the Dolphins at home before beating the Raiders 34-22 in Canberra on Sunday.

The One New Zealand Warriors have come away winners in their last three visits to the newly named Ocean Protect Stadium.

They put on their best performance of last year’s campaign when they won 40-10 there in round 14 (the week after losing Barnett for the season) while they finished ahead in two-point thrillers in 2024 (30-28) and 2023 (32-30).

Overall the Sharks have a 29-22 advantage in 51 meetings between the two clubs.