More injuries to outside backs have caused another backline reshuffle for the NZ Warriors’ Round 21 NRL match against the Wests Tigers at a sold-out Mt Smart on Friday night.
When they last played at home against the Broncos four weeks ago, the Warriors started and finished with their strongest available backline in a 32-16 victory.
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The same combination ran on the following week against the Bulldogs only for three of them to be forced off the field – fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) off in the 39th minute, right wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (head knock) in the 46th minute and left
wing Marcelo Montoya (groin) in the 63rd minute.
Then last Friday night against Canberra, replacement fullback Taine Tuaupiki was ruled out of the contest after an eighth-minute head knock, while centre Adam Pompey (knee) left the field in the opening minute of the second half.
For two games on end, second rower Kurt Capewell and rookie Leka Halasima had to play big minutes in the centres as the backline was reshaped on the run.
Now, with Nicoll-Klokstad, Montoya, Tuaupiki and Pompey all out this week, the Warriors can form a complete backline from a list of injured players, which also includes centre Rocco Berry (shoulder), standoff Luke Metcalf (leg) and halfback Shaun Johnson (chronic Achilles tendinopathy).
For Friday night’s return to Go Media Stadium (kick-off 8pm), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck switches to fullback, where he played for 72 minutes after starting on the left wing against the Raiders.
Edward Kosi takes Tuivasa-Sheck’s spot and New South Wales Cup regular Moala Graham-Taufa has been named for his third NRL appearance in the centres.
The 25-year-old Kosi returns for his fourth match this season and the 31st of his career after last playing in the shattering loss to Gold Coast in Round 16.
Graham-Taufa (22) made his club debut as a game-day replacement in the memorable 24-20 win over the Dolphins on May 26. He was the Warriors’ unused reserve against the Broncos and the Raiders.
Only Watene-Zelezniak, centre Ali Leiataua and halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin are set to start in the same position they started in against the Raiders.
The starting pack remains intact for the fourth straight game, with a front row of Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan and Mitchell Barnett.
Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell are in the second row and Dylan Walker at loose forward, while the interchange is the same as the one used against the Bulldogs and Raiders.
Returning to the extended squad for the first time this season is 2023 NRL rookie Demitric Sifakula, who has been making an impressive comeback from knee surgery with the club's NSW Cup side.
NZ WARRIORS: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Moala Graham-Taufa, Edward Kosi, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin; Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett (c), Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell, Dylan Walker. Interchange: Freddy Lussick, Jackson Ford, Jazz Tevaga, Leka Halasima. Reserves: Tom Ale, Bunty Afoa, Demitric Sifakula, Setu Tu, Ben Farr