NRLW Team Update: Nicholls ruled out for up to four weeks
A hand injury will keep One New Zealand Warriors captain Apii Nicholls out for up to four games starting with tomorrow’s round eight NRLW encounter with the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium in Sydney (1.45pm kick-off local time; 3.45pm NZT).
Nicholls was named on Tuesday but has been omitted from the updated squad 24 hours out from the contest.
Emmanita Paki has been switched from standoff to fullback with hooker Patricia Maliepo moved into the halves, Jay Huriwai promoted from the bench to start at hooker and Capri Paekau added to the interchange.
The Warriors have also lost impressive rookie second rower Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, who is out for four to six weeks with an elbow injury after playing in each of the club's first seven matches of the season.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban BaxterFullback for Warriors is number 6 Emmanita Paki
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie ParkerWinger for Warriors is number 2 Payton Takimoana
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Warriors is number 3 Mele Hufanga
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey Waaka
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme FressardWinger for Warriors is number 5 Tysha Ikenasio
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 7 Gayle Broughton
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Tarryn AikenHalfback for Warriors is number 9 Patricia Maliepo
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie ElliottProp for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley NizzaHooker for Warriors is number 14 Jasmin Huriwai
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa PuleProp for Warriors is number 10 Metanoia Fetalaiga
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sariah Paki2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia KernickLock for Warriors is number 13 Kaiyah Atai
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Taina NaividiInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Aliyah NasioInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Ivana Lauitiiti
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Taneisha GrayInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Mya Hill-Moana
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Amber HallInterchange for Warriors is number 19 Capri Paekau
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Mia WoodReplacement for Warriors is number 21 Natalia Hickling
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Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Shawden BurtonReserve for Warriors is number 22 Matekino Gray
Roosters Ins
- Mia Wood
- Shawden Burton
- Taneisha Gray
Warriors Ins
- Capri Paekau
- Matekino Gray
- Natalia Hickling
Roosters Outs
- Nikiah Campbell
- Rima Butler
Warriors Ins
- Apii Nicholls
- Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Her absence resulted in Maarire Puketapu moving out of the front row into the second row with Metanoia Fetalaiga promoted off the interchange to start at prop.
Back on the interchange is Ivana Lauitiiti, who was 18th player in last Sunday's 22-30 Indigenous Round loss to Wests Tigers.
Onesemo-Tuilaepa's run ended just 16 minutes into the match in a season in which she has been so impressive playing big minutes, averaging 71 metres a game and producing an eye-catching defensive efficiency rate of 97.26 per cent.
With their loss to the Tigers, the Warriors have slipped to sixth on the ladder with a 4-3 record.
They now face their toughest challenge of the season against a Roosters side which is the only unbeaten team in the competition coming off a 34-20 win over 2025 premier Brisbane.
