Warriors v Cowboys: CNK in for AKP: Nanai, Burns return
History will be made on Sunday afternoon when the Warriors take on North Queensland in the first NRL match at the new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.
Tickets sold out in record time for the game at the state of the art 25,000-seat venue as rugby league fever takes over the nation's South Island.
The fully-enclosed stadium will host the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns during the Rugby League World Cup later this year, but it's the Warriors who have the honour of playing the first NRL game at the ground.
Andrew Webster's men have endured a tough few weeks, with losses to the Panthers and Sharks on either side of the bye but they remain in second place on the ladder and need a win to stay ahead of a big chasing pack.
Prop Jackson Ford has been one of the revelations of the season and will look to put in another 80-minute stint to lay the foundation for his team.
The Cowboys are well-rested after last week's bye and are desperate to snap a two-game losing streak.
Tongan star Jason Taumalolo has turned back the clock in 2026 and is set for a mouth-watering battle with the Warriors forward pack, while fullback Scott Drinkwater will look to continue an impressive run of form.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 16 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Warriors: Blues prop Mitch Barnett and Maroons back-rower Kurt Capewell are part of the extended squad and will be checked out once they return to Auckland after Origin Two. After suffering a quad contusion last week Alofiana Khan-Pereira is out, replaced on the wing by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Skipper James Fisher-Harris (calf) and back-rower Leka Halasima (hamstring) remain sidelined but hooker Sam Healey returns from a thumb injury on the bench. Rocco Berrry and Luke Metcalf have been recalled on the six-man interchange after stints in NSW Cup.
Cowboys: Gun back-rower Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) is on track to play his first game since Round 9 and just his third of the season while Braidon Burns (hamstring) has also been named to return from injury. Burns' comeback sees Zac Laybutt move from wing to centre, Jaxon Purdue slide to five-eighth and Liam Sutton to the bench. Englishman John Bateman made a successful return through Queensland Cup last week following wrist surgery and could be a late call-up for his first NRL game of the season.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon Purdue
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Tanner Stowers-SmithProp for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew Lodge
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kayliss FatialofaInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Rocco BerryInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Liam Sutton
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Luke MetcalfInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Sam McIntyre
Reserves
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Makaia TafuaReserve for Cowboys is number 20 John Bateman
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Mitchell BarnettReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jaxson Paulo
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Kurt CapewellReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Ethan King
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 23 Wiremu Greig
Warriors Ins
- Kurt Capewell
- Luke Metcalf
- Mitchell Barnett
- Rocco Berry
- Sam Healey
Cowboys Ins
- Braidon Burns
- Jaxson Paulo
- Jeremiah Nanai
- John Bateman
Warriors Outs
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Jason Salalilo
Cowboys Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won their last four games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have not won in New Zealand since 2019.
- The Warriors have won five of their last seven games in Christchurch.
- Cowboys centre Tom Chester has scored four tries in his last five games.
- Warriors halfback Te Maire Martin has scored four tries in his last four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
