NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has named a largely unchanged line-up to meet Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium on Friday.
The same 19 that dressed for last week’s 42-18 win over Sydney Roosters will front again, with the only tweak being second-rower Marata Niukore replacing specialist half Luke Hanson on the extended bench.
Niukore missed the entire pre-season and the season-opener with a calf niggle, but apparently has passed fit for the second round.
As expected, co-captain Mitch Barnett has not recovered sufficiently from the knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign prematurely, but is expected to return any week now.
“We’re getting closer, so no dramas there, but the last month to six weeks, you get down to the nitty gritty,” Webster said. “Everyone thinks it’s nine months, but sometimes it’s eight-and-a-half months and sometimes it’s 10 months.
“They’re not injuries you want to mess around with. The whole medical industry has advanced so far on how quickly they can get players back, but the ACL is one of those ones that takes so long.”
Jackson Ford, who led the team in both tackles and running metres against the Roosters, will again start in Barnett’s place, with Jacob Laban in the second row, and Leka Halasima coming off the interchange.
Wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will bring up his 150th game for the club.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Demitric Vaimauga, 16. Leka Halasima, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 20. Morgan Gannon
Reserves: 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 22. Marata Niukore, 23. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Meanwhile, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has lose the services of veteran front-rower Josh Papalii with concussion, replaced by Englishman Morgan Smithies in the starting line-up.
Kiwis centre Matt Timoko joins the bench, after a foot injury kept him in reserve grade last week.
The Raiders beat the Warriors twice last year, including the season-opener in Las Vegas, en route to their minor premiership, but needed a last-minute field goal from halfback Ethan Sanders to overcome Manly Sea Eagles 29-28 in their season-opener.
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Simi Sasagi, 4. Seb Kris, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Morgan Smithies, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Noah Martin, 13. Corey Horsburgh
Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Zac Hosking, 16. Ata Mariota, 17. Matt Timoko, 18. Daine Laurie, 19 Joe Roddy
Reserves: 20. Owen Pattie, 21. Jed Stuart, 22. Chevy Stewart
