Luke Metcalf's Warriors face Jamal Fogarty's Raiders; key player changes and returning veterans noted.
Luke Metcalf and the New Zealand Warriors host Jamal Fogarty and the Canberra Raiders in a blockbuster clash at Go Media Stadium.
Simi Sasagi replaces Blues backrower Hudson Young in the starting side which sees Lismore product Noah Martin make his NRL debut off the bench. Martin only turned 20 last month and the development player has impressed Ricky Stuart this year with his work ethic. Canberra are in prime position to finish the Origin period inside the top two if they can leapfrog the Warriors this weekend. They then face the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Knights, Dragons and Eels. Stuart is only missing Young to Origin while Matty Nicholson and Albert Hopoate are their only injuries. The Raiders have not finished the season inside the top four since 2019 when they made the grand final for the first time in 25 years.
Ali Leiataua comes into the centres, with Kurt Capewell shifting to the back row, Marata Niukore to the front row and Jackson Ford to the bench. Tanner Stowers-Smith drops off the bench.
Star front-rowers Mitch Barnett (NSW camp) and James Fisher-Harris (suspension) are out but Bunty Afoa (knee) and Jackson Ford (concussion) return. Following the return of veteran flyer Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, one big question remains - how do they get the best out of him? The 31-year-old returned from a hamstring against the Dolphins in Round 11, running for 159 metres and recording a single offload. However, it seems Tuivasa-Sheck's full talents aren't on show for the Warriors on the wing, with his running game the best aspect of his abilities. He won a Dally M in 2018 playing at fullback, so should Andrew Webster make a backline switch? As it stands, the Warriors are flying high and have won their last five games in-a-row with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad wearing the No.1. He is a reliable contributor at the back, but is also able to play in the centres and even on the wing. Tuivasa-Sheck, meanwhile, could be fully unlocked with a move to fullback on the attacking end while Nicoll-Klokstad could still do the work on the attacking end, remaining as the primary kick receiver. For now, New Zealand's spine is working well but should they struggle for attacking output later in the year, Tuivasa-Sheck could be the perfect man to produce points under Webster.