BENCH SHAKE-UP AS NIUKORE RULED OUT FOR SHARKS SHOWDOWN
Warriors coach Andrew Webster has sprung few starting line-up surprises ahead of the Friday’s season-opening clash with Cronulla at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, but the big news from the first important Team List Tuesday of 2024 is the absence of Marata Niukore with a foot injury.
The starting line-up is as expected based on the Warriors’ trials and Webster’s interview clues: Luke Metcalf has won the race for the No.6 jersey ahead of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita; Taine Tuaupiki will stand in at fullback for the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad; Rocco Berry has retained his spot to partner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, beating out the likes of Adam Pompey and Ali Leiataua; and new signing Kurt Capewell will line up in the second-row with 2023 mainstay Jackson Ford.
But the unavailability of Niukore is a blow, picking up a minor foot fracture while starring off the bench in the final trial in his new role as part of the Warriors’ prop rotation.
The bench was always going to be the most intriguing aspect of this team naming, with Dylan Walker the only certainty. He’s been joined by specialist hooker Freddy Lussick – who impressed in the trials – and front-row duo Tom Ale and Bunty Afoa.
Club stalwart Jazz Tevaga is a notable interchange casualty, joining Pompey, Martin, injured pair Nicoll-Klokstad and Niukore, Bulldogs signing Josh Curran and the Super League-bound Bayley Sironen as the players missing from the 17 who featured in the Warriors’ preliminary final loss to Brisbane last September.
Tevaga, Martin and Pompey (who played every game in 2023) are joined in the reserves list by Leiataua and exciting back-row prospect Jacob Laban.
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