NSW Cup Preview: Warriors' NRL trio confirmed to start against Dragons

NSW Cup Preview: NRL trio confirmed to start against Dragons

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 18 Jul 2026, 12:43 PM

Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore and Makaia Tafua are all confirmed starters for the One New Zealand Warriors’ round 20 New South Wales Cup clash against St George Illawarra at Go Media Stadium today.

All three were named in the club’s extended NRL squad on Tuesday but are on deck to boost the NSW Cup’s mission against the Dragons.

The Warriors are bidding to go back to back after running out to a 44-20 victory over the Western Suburbs Magpies last week.

That result pushed them up to 22 points sitting 10th on a congested table just two points outside the top five (the Jets, Roosters and Rabbitohs are all level on 24 points).

As well as Metcalf, Niukore and Tafua, the Warriors have NRL experience in centre Rocco Berry, second rower Morgan Gannon and standoff Luke Hanson plus new signings Riley Price and Luke Laulilii.

However, they’re without regular front rower Cooper Page-Wilson (ankle) and middle forward Jason Salalilo (concussion).

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 18 Jul

Full Time

Warriors

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Geronimo Doyle

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyler Peckham-Harris
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Luke Laulilii

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Nick Tsougranis
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Jye Linnane

Centre for Dragons is number 5 Charles Heidke
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Haizyn Mellars

Winger for Dragons is number 18 Tom Kirk
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Nick Quinn
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Joseph O'Neill

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Riley Price

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Makaia Tafua

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Haele Finau
Prop for Warriors is number 18 Marata Niukore

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jacob Webster
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kayliss Fatialofa

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Coutts
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Morgan Gannon

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Cyrus Stanley-Traill
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jacob Auloa

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan Hutchinson

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Dextar Grant
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jett Cleary

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Viliami Hikila
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tyson Hansen

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Matthew Alhazim
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Daeon Amituanai

Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Ben Jackson