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2 days ago

General
RNZ News

NRL: Wounded NZ Warriors re-arrrange line-up to face Cronulla Sharks

Rocco Berry was forced from the field against Souths with a hamstring twinge. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Injury-plagued NZ Warriors centre Rocco Berry has joined co-captain Mitch Barnett on the sidelines for their away game against Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. After having a fully fit squad to choose from last week - the first time since 2023 - coach Andrew Webster has had to juggle his line-up again, with Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge that forced him from the field against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. Berry has struggled to stay on the park for the Warriors after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury, withdrawing from his scheduled return against Wests Tigers with hamstring trouble, picking up a suspension in his eventual return against Melbourne Storm and then missing three more games with his dodgy hammy. He has managed just four appearances so far this campaign. Webster has addressed Berry's absence by shifting versatile second-rower Kurt Capewell into the midfield, but also has specialist centre Ali Leiataua on an extended bench. Teenage sensation Leka Halasima has moved into the starting pack, where he has lined up in six of his 12 appearances this season. Without Barnett, Jackson Ford has been promoted from the bench to start in the front row. Meanwhile, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua Blake to face his old team for the first time, since his early release to return across the Tasman. Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, so Hamilton-born Sione Katoa makes his comeback from shoulder reconstruction, while NZ-born players Mawene Hiroti, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele also named. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18 Tom Alex, 20 Sam Healey, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Ali Leiataua, 23 Taine Tuaupiki Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Mawene Hiroti, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nico Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cam McInnes Interchange: 14 Daniel Atkinson, 15 Jesse Colquhoun, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18 Billy Burns, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20 Hopeha Puru, 21 Jayden Berrell, 22 Niwhai Puru Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Ban to stretch Cronulla's backline even further

Yahoo

25-05-2025

Sport
Yahoo

Ban to stretch Cronulla's backline even further

Ronaldo Mulitalo has added to Cronulla's backline issues, with the winger facing a one-match ban for his late shot that levelled Mark Nawaqanitawase. Mulitalo was on Sunday hit with a grade-two dangerous contact charge for hitting Nawaqanitawase after he passed in the Sydney Roosters' win on Saturday. If the Sharks were to fight the matter at the NRL judiciary, Mulitalo would risk a second game on the sideline. Watch all the highlights as the Roosters take on the Sharks in Round 12!#NRLRoostersSharks — NRL (@NRL) May 24, 2025 Cronulla have already faced depth issues in their outside backs this year, after Sione Katoa required shoulder surgery after an injury in a pre-season trial. Sam Stonestreet is also out with an ankle injury, after sustaining damage to his syndesmosis against Melbourne last week. Cronulla are hopeful of Katoa returning after next week's bye, otherwise Mulitalo's ban would leave the Sharks without both first-choice wingers against the Warriors. In that case, Chris Vae'ila would be the front-runner to debut for the Sharks. Mulitalo was sin-binned for the shot on Saturday night, with referee Grant Atkins identifying direct shoulder contact to the head after Nawaqanitawase passed. But the match review committee on Sunday deemed it to be dangerous contact and not a shoulder charge, which would have resulted in an extra game out. Penrith forward Liam Henry is also facing a two-match ban out of Saturday night's games, in trouble for a crusher tackle on Fletcher Sharpe in the loss to Newcastle. The review committee on Sunday opted for a grade-two charge, meaning Henry would risk a third match on the sideline if he elects to fight the ban. The last-placed Panthers at least expect to have their entire State of Origin cohort back for those games, provided the quintet get through game one unscathed. Backrower Scott Sorensen is also due back from a suspension against Parramatta next Sunday, while Luke Garner should be able to return from a concussion.