New South Wales prop Mitchell Barnett slots into the front row to lead the One New Zealand Warriors in their vital round 16 NRL encounter with the Cowboys at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch today (4.00pm kick-off).
In the only change to the starting side named on Tuesday, he comes in for Christchurch local Tanner Stowers-Smith, who moves to the interchange.
Dropping out of the 20-man game day squad named at the 24-hour mark is centre Rocco Berry who led the club’s New South Wales Cup side in the curtain raiser.
Barnett backs up after being used for just 25 minutes in New South Wales’ 24-44 State of Origin loss to Queensland on Wednesday night.
He makes his first appearance for the Warriors since their 42-12 win over Brisbane on May 17.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 16 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
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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
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Luke MetcalfInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Sam McIntyre
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Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Makaia TafuaInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 John Bateman
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Queensland second rower Kurt Capewell and hooker Sam Healey were left out of the updated squad last night.
The confirmed six-man bench comprises Stowers-Smith, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Demitric Vaimauga, Kayliss Fatialofa, Luke Metcalf and Makaia Tafua.
The Warriors have lost speedster Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira for a spell after he picked up a quadriceps contusion in a heavy collision just before halftime in last Saturday night’s gruelling battle with the Sharks.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad replaced him at the halftime break and will now start on the left wing on Sunday.
On the right wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, boasting 14 tries in 13 appearances so far this season, will play his 99th game for the club and is set to join the Warriors’ 100-game club in the round 17 match against the Dolphins.
The match – sold out in five days in January – is the first NRL match played at Christchurch’s new sporting venue. It will be the third leg of a tripleheader with the club’s NRLW side playing a trial against the Broncos and the New South Wales Cup team taking on the Bulldogs.
