Forward Makayla Eli and hooker Avery-Rose Carmont will make their debuts while Lydia Turua-Quedley will start at halfback in changes to the One New Zealand Warriors’ lineup for Saturday’s round four NRLW clash against Gold Coast at Go Media Stadium (2.45pm kick-off).
After being the 18th player for the first three matches, 23-year-old Ōtāhuhu Leopards junior Eli replaces Ashlee Matapo on the bench.
With experienced halfback Emily Curtain forced out with a hip injury, Turua-Quedley (26) has her first start after being used off the interchange in the first three rounds. That results in Carmont coming onto the interchange bench for her first NRLW match.
Head coach Ron Griffiths has also made an adjustment to the starting forward back by bringing former Titans forward Matekino Gray into the front row with Lavinia Kitai moving to the interchange.
Also edging closer to an NRLW debut is forward Metanoia Fotu-Moala who has been listed as the 18th player this week while utility signing Kalyn Takitimu-Cook comes into the squad for the first time after missing the opening weeks of the season with injury.
The Warriors are coming off a 20-36 defeat by the Knights in what is one of the most challenging away games in the competition.
They opened disappointingly as the strong Newcastle side ran out to a 24-0 lead but then finished the match strongly by restricting the Knights to just two more tries while scoring 20 points themselves with their tries coming through rugby union converts Payton Takimoana – with the Warriors’ first NRLW hat-trick – and Black Ferns superstar Michaela Brake.
The converts have scored all the Warriors’ points between them so far with Takimoana dotting down four times, Brake twice and Tysha Ikenasio and Patricia Maliepo once each while Maliepo has kicked four conversions.
Leading the way with try assists to date is captain Apii Nicholls with three – two against the Knights – while centre Emmanita Paki also had two try assists on Sunday night.
After losses to the Cowboys (6-20) and the Broncos (4-44) in the opening two rounds, the Titans recovered with a 24-12 win over Wests Tigers. They’ll be boosted by the return of their captain – and former Warriors skipper – Georgia Hale who was suspended last week.