History is made today when the One New Zealand Warriors take on North Queensland in the first NRL match at the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
Tickets sold out in record time for the game at the state of the art 25,000-seat venue as rugby league fever takes over the nation's South Island.
The fully-enclosed stadium will host the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns during the Rugby League World Cup later this year, but it's the Warriors who have the honour of playing the first NRL game at the ground.
Andrew Webster's men have endured a tough few weeks, with close losses to the Panthers and Sharks on either side of the bye but they remain in second place on the ladder and need a win to stay ahead of a big chasing pack.
Prop Jackson Ford has been one of the revelations of the season and will look to put in another 80-minute stint to lay the foundation for his team.
The Cowboys are well-rested after last week's bye and are desperate to snap a two-game losing streak.
Tongan star Jason Taumalolo has turned back the clock in 2026 and is set for a mouth-watering battle with the Warriors forward pack, while fullback Scott Drinkwater will look to continue an impressive run of form.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 16 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
Warriors: Mitch Barnett will line up after Origin II but Kurt Capewell is being rested. Barnett will make his first appearance for the Warriors since their 42-12 win over Brisbane in round 11. Hooker Sam Healey has failed to come up from a thumb injury and dropped out of the squad on Saturday with Luke Metcalf added to the bench in No 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad replaces Alofiana Khan-Pereira (quad contusion) on the wing for the first NRL game at the new Christchurch stadium.
Cowboys: Coach Todd Payten has named his three Origin stars, with Heilum Luki, Murray Taulagi and Reuben Cotter likely to back up on Sunday afternoon. Samoan representative Jeremiah Nanai is on track for his first match since Round 9 after recovering from a shoulder injury, while Matt Lodge and Braidon Burns are also in the mix to complete comebacks from injury. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update with Jaxson Paulo, Ethan King and Wiremu Grieg omitted from the squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon Purdue
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Warriors is number 22 Mitchell BarnettProp for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kayliss FatialofaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew Lodge
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Luke MetcalfInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Makaia TafuaInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 John Bateman
Warriors Ins
- Luke Metcalf
- Mitchell Barnett
Cowboys Ins
- Braidon Burns
- Jeremiah Nanai
- John Bateman
Warriors Outs
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Jason Salalilo
Cowboys Ins
- Ethan King
- Liam Sutton
- Wiremu Greig
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won their last four games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have not won in New Zealand since 2019.
- The Warriors have won five of their last seven games in Christchurch.
- Cowboys centre Tom Chester has scored four tries in his last five games.
- Warriors halfback Te Maire Martin has scored four tries in his last four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
