NRLW Team Update: Starting forward park shuffled

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 18 Jul 2026, 08:00 AM

Changes to the starting forward pack have been made ahead of the One New Zealand Warriors' match against the Cowboys in the Harvey Norman Women in League Round at Go Media Stadium today (5.15pm kick-off).

Metanoia Fetalaiga has been brought off the extended bench to start in the front row in #18 while Ashlee Matapo, named at prop, switches back to loose forward.

That sees Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa moving to the second row and Maarire Puketapu going to the extended bench. After being included originally, Kaiah Atai drops out of the squad.

Front rower Mya Hill-Moana and winger Lavinia Tauhakaliku return for the team's first match of the season at Go Media Stadium.

The contest against North Queensland is in the second leg of a tripleheader, the first of three games they’ll play in Auckland this season.

Coming off a disappointing 16-42 round two loss to the Raiders in Canberra, the Warriors have been bolstered by the inclusion of Tauhalaliku – a double try-scorer in the round one win over the Bulldogs – and the powerful Hill-Moana on the bench.

Also named on the extended bench is Atai, who had surgery on a broken thumb suffered in the club’s preseason trial against the Broncos in Christchurch.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 18 Jul

Full Time

Warriors

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Margot Vella
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Francesca Goldthorp
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey Waaka

Centre for Cowboys is number 18 Haylee Hifo
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ocean Tierney

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Sian Williams
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Emmanita Paki

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia Maliepo

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin Huriwai

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
Prop for Warriors is number 18 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Christabelle Onesemo

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
Lock for Warriors is number 16 Mya Hill-Moana

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Ashlee Matapo

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tallara Bamblett
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Ashley Marsters
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ivana Lauitiiti

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Lily Dick

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu

Replacement for Cowboys is number 21 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 7/18/2026 9:56:10 AM

Head coach Ron Griffiths has made a number of lineup changes with new signing Stacey Waaka moving to the centres after starting her club debut on the wing while Tauhalaliku and debutante Ocean Tierney – a double try scorer last week – are the wingers.

Ashlee Matapo is switched from loose forward to prop and Jay Huriwai starts at hooker with Capri Paekau going to the bench.

Rookie Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa is named to start at #13 with Shakira Baker moves back to the second row after starting in the centres against Canberra.

The Warriors face a Cowboys side smarting from season-opening losses to the Broncos and the Tigers.