NRLW 2026, New Zealand Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, round 3, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Warriors v Cowboys: Griffiths rings changes; Williams returns

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 15 Jul 2026, 11:29 AM

The Warriors return home to Auckland looking to bounce back from a tough Round 2 clash against Raiders, while the Cowboys need their first win after consecutive losses to start the season.

The Warriors showed in Round 1 that they can be one of the most dangerous attacking teams so the Cowboys will need to tighten their defence.

Their attack has produced some promising moments, but costly lapses and missed opportunities have prevented them from finishing on top.

The Cowboys' outside backs have shown they can trouble opposition defences, but they will need more support through the middle against a Warriors pack that enjoys playing direct and generating quick play-the-balls.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 18 Jul

5:15 am

Warriors

Cowboys

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

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Team News

Warriors: Coach Ron Griffiths has made mass changes following his side's loss to the Raiders, shuffling both the forwards and the backs. Lavinia Tauhalaliku comes in on the wing, shifting Stacey Waaka into the the centres. Shakira Baker moves from the centres to her preferred role in the second row. Jasmin Huriwai has been promoted from the bench to start at hooker, with Capri Paekau moving to the bench. Ashlee Matapo shifts from lock to prop, with Christabelle Onesemo starting in No.13 after playing in the second row last week. Mya Hill-Moana returns from her suspension via the bench, with last week's debutant Natalia Hickling slotting back into the reserves. Metanoia Fotu-Moala started at prop last week but is the 18th player this week.

Cowboys: Sian Williams returns to the wing after sitting out Round 2 under concussion protocols, shifting last week's debutant Haylee Hifo to the replacement player role. Other changes see PNG Orchids and Indigenous All Stars representative Essay Banu named to start in place of Tayla Curtis. After being named on the extended bench last week, Ashley Marsters has been named on the interchange and is in line to make her NRLW debut.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 18 Jul

5:15 am

Warriors

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Margot Vella
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Francesca Goldthorp
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey Waaka

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ocean Tierney

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Sian Williams
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Emmanita Paki

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia Maliepo

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin Huriwai

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Ashlee Matapo

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Christabelle Onesemo

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tallara Bamblett
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Mya Hill-Moana

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Ashley Marsters
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ivana Lauitiiti

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Lily Dick

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Haylee Hifo
Reserve for Warriors is number 19 Natalia Hickling

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Emily Veivers
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Kaiyah Atai

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Ebony Raftstrand-Smith
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Tafao Asaua