NRL Team Update: Squad reduced for Eden Park final
Centre Leka Halasima and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak remain in the One New Zealand Warriors’ reduced squad for tomorrow's NRL elimination semi-final against the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park (6.05pm kick-off).
Less than four weeks after breaking his right clavicle (collarbone), the 31-year-old was selected in jersey #23 on Tuesday and has been retained in the 20-man squad released at the 24-hour update.
Halasima also remains in the frame after missing last Saturday's qualifying final loss to the Dolphins with a hamstring injury.
The two players omitted from the initial 22-man squad are halfback Jett Cleary and hooker Makaia Tafua.
The seven-man bench comprises Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Morgan Gannon, Halasima and Watene-Zelezniak. The final 19-man team will be confirmed 90 minutes before kick-off tomorrow.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Morgan GannonInterchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
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Interchange for Warriors is number 22 Leka HalasimaInterchange for Knights is number 22 Dylan Lucas
Reserves
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Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakReserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
Warriors Ins
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Leka Halasima
- Morgan Gannon
Knights Ins
- Dylan Lucas
- Kyle McCarthy
Warriors Outs
- Jackson Ford
- Jett Cleary
Knights Ins
- Toby Winter
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Ruled out on Tuesday was prop Jackson Ford, who suffered an ankle injury in his comeback last Saturday after being sidelined since June with a pectoral tear.
In his absence Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is named as his replacement in the #17 jersey.
The historic first NRL final played at Eden Park which is set to host the biggest crowd in history for a rugby league match.
The Warriors’ seventh home final is the first they have played away from Go Media Stadium.
It will be their second play-off against the Knights. In the first in 2023 the Warriors came back from a week one finals loss to Penrith to beat Newcastle 40-10 at Go Media Stadium.
