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Official team lists, updates and injury news for the opening round of the 2025 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge.

Pre-Season Challenge Team Lists: Round 1

Sharks v Warriors, Friday 7.30pm at Shark Park

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene Hiroti
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
    Winger for Warriors is number 18 Edward Kosi
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas Hazelton
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Siosifa Talakai
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Oregon Kaufusi
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru
    Interchange for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tuku Hau Tapuha
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Demitric Vaimauga
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Lachlan Crouch
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Moala Graham-Taufa
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Blake Hosking
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Sio Kali

Reserves

  • Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Chris Vea'ila
    Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Luke Hanson
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Kyle Pickering
    Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Jett Cleary
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Michael Gabrael
    Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Taine Tuaupiki
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Brad Fearnley
    Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Daeon Amituanai
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Taj Ford
    Reserve for Warriors is number 24 Bunty Afoa
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 23 Riley Pollard
    Reserve for Warriors is number 25 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 24 Eli Clark
    Reserve for Warriors is number 26 Samuel Healey
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 25 Kristian Dixon
    Reserve for Warriors is number 27 Dylan Walker
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 26 Felix Faatili
    Reserve for Warriors is number 28 Tanner Stowers-Smith
  • Reserve for Sharks is number 27 Samuel McCulloch
    Reserve for Warriors is number 29 Freddy Lussick
  • Reserve for Warriors is number 30 Motu Pasikala

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Sharks: Star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake is being held back along with Nicho Hynes, Cam McInnes and Jesse Ramien but the Sharks have plenty of big names on show for their home fans. The backline features Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa and Kayal Iro, with youngster Niwhai Puru steering the ship at halfback as he chases an NRL debut in 2025. Braden Hamlin-Uele, Siosifa Talakai and Tom Hazelton get the chance to blow out the cobwebs in the forwards.

Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster is rolling out a host of his big guns including James Fisher-Harris, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell while Luke Metcalf gets first shot at the No.7 jersey vacated by the retirement of Shaun Johnson. He is partnered in the halves by Te Maire Martin, with Chanel Harris-Tavita and new signing Tanah Boyd not considered due to niggles. Plenty of interest will surround Nathan Cleary's younger brother Jett, who has been named among the interchange players alongside Bunty Afoa, Dylan Walker and Freddy Lussick.

Panthers v Raiders, Saturday 7.30pm at Shark Park

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Chevy Stewart
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Jesse McLean
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Michael Asomua
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Sione Fonua
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Albert Hopoate
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Manaia Waitere
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Casey McLean
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jed Stuart
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Adam Cook
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Luron Patea
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Jordan Martin
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
    Hooker for Raiders is number 22 Shaun Packer
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 Preston Riki
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Pasami Saulo
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Mavrik Geyer
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Simi Sasagi
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson
  • Lock for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Myles Martin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Jakeb Vailalo
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Ethan Alaia
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 John Sagaga
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Izaac Tu'itupou
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zakauri Clarke
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Regan Carr
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Zack Lamont
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Mark Tuialii

Reserves

  • Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Niko Apelu
    Reserve for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 20 David Fale
    Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Keahn Skipps
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Falefa Letoi
    Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Jensen Taumoepeau
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Billy Scott
    Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Jalen Afamasaga
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 23 Jaxen Edgar
    Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Peter Taateo
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 24 Zac Lipowicz
    Reserve for Raiders is number 23 Jake Clydsdale
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 25 Samuel Lane
    Reserve for Raiders is number 24 Joe Roddy
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 26 Billy Phillips
    Reserve for Raiders is number 25 Noah Martin
  • Reserve for Panthers is number 27 Nick Murphy
    Reserve for Raiders is number 26 Ata Mariota
  • Reserve for Raiders is number 27 Mitchell Prest
  • Reserve for Raiders is number 28 Jaxon Lavender

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Panthers: In a late change, Panthers lock Matthew Eisenhuth has been replaced in the starting line-up with Trent Toelau. Former Tiger Isaiah Papali'i makes his debut in Panthers colours alongside Mavrik Geyer in the back row. Brothers Casey and Jesse McLean get their chance to stake a claim for a backline spot in Ivan Cleary's best 17 while halves Jack Cole and Brad Schneider are also out to impress as they jostle for the No.6 jersey along with new recruit Blaize Talagi, who won't play this week. No members of the grand final winning side will take the field this week as they focus on recovery from off-season surgery and the build-up to Las Vegas.

Raiders: In a late swap, Shaun Packer will start the match at hooker, with Owen Pattie to come off the bench. New signing Ethan Sanders gets a chance to impress in the halves alongside Adam Cook while Chevy Stuart and Albert Hopoate bring the flair out wide. Lock Myles Martin and back-rower Matty Nicholson also wear the green jersey for the first time while Pasami Saulo and Jordan Martin line up in the front row. Former Rabbitoh Izaac Thompson is on a train and trial deal at the Raiders and has been listed on the bench along with development players Noah Martin, Joe Roddy, Peter Taateo and Jake Clydsdale. 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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