Warriors players leave the field after trailing the Melbourne Storm at hafftime. Photo: photosport
Injuries and a ban for centre Rocco Berry have forced the battered Warriors to overhaul their team for this week's NRL clash with the Brisbane Broncos.
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris has been ruled out because of the pectoral injury sustained in Sunday's 42-14 loss to the Melbourne Storm while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is sidelined after failing concussion protocols.
Centre Berry had only just returned from injury himself but now faces another week watching, having copped a one-match suspension for a high tackle on Storm centre Jack Howarth.
Coach Andrew Webster has shuffled his deck in response, moving Jackson Ford from the interchange bench to start at prop, while Taine Tuaupiki shifts from wing to fullback.
Ed Kosi shifts on to the right flank in Tuaupiki's place, with Kurt Capewell moving from the second row into the centres to face his former club, making space for second-rower Leka Halasima to make his first NRL start.
Taine Tuaupiki in action for One NZ Warriors v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
On the interchange bench, playmaker Te Maire Martin is in line for his first appearance of 2025.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wrist), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and Tom Ale (foot) remain on the longer-term injury list.
Winger Adam Pompey will play his 100th match for the Warriors, the 31st player from the club to achieve the milestone.
Simon Mannering (301), Jerome Ropati (145) and Bunty Afoa (140) are the only other club centurions to play all their games for the Warriors.
The third-placed Broncos are coming off a surprise 26-16 home loss to the Sydney Roosters.
Coach Michael Maguire has made one change, recalling Kiwis international Jordan Riki to the second row after serving a suspension.
Warriors team: 1.Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Ed Kosi, 3. Kurt Capewell, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Adam Pompey, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. Jackson Ford, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitch Barnett (c), 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13.Erin Clark
Interchange (from): 14: Bunty Afoa, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Te Maire Martin, 18. Tanah Boyd, 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21. Sam Healey, 22. Freddy Lussick, 23. Morgan Harper
