Warriors squad reduced by two for South Sydney clash
The One New Zealand Warriors have reduced their 20-man squad by two players ahead of their NRL round 25 match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Winger Luke Laulilii and hooker Makaia Tafua have been omitted from the team for the game scheduled for tomorrow at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Halfback Jett Cleary remains in the squad. The match will see Chanel Harris-Tavita start at halfback, his first start in this position since 2021. He will partner Luke Hanson at standoff. Harris-Tavita will wear the number seven jersey after taking over the role following Luke Metcalf’s hamstring injury, which occurred 20 minutes into last Saturday’s match against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Metcalf is sidelined until the finals, ruling him out of the remaining three regular season games against the Rabbitohs, Knights, and Sea Eagles. Harris-Tavita is the fourth starting halfback for the Warriors this year, following Tanah Boyd (10 games), Te Maire Martin (9), and Metcalf (2), all of whom are currently on the injured list.
Halves Combination and Squad Changes
The new halves combination for the Warriors comes as coach Andrew Webster prepares for his 100th NRL game as coach. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who played in the halves during the 42-6 win over the Broncos, was unavailable for the number six jersey this week due to a two-match suspension for a dangerous contact charge. This has opened the way for 22-year-old Hanson to start in the halves for only his second NRL appearance.
Hanson made his debut as Warrior #295 in the 38-12 round three win against the Knights on March 21. Outside of his sole previous first-grade outing, Hanson has made 15 appearances for the club’s New South Wales Cup side this season. He reached his 50-game milestone with a try in last Saturday’s 18-12 win over the Sea Eagles. Hanson averages 80 running metres per game this season and is noted for his defensive play, with a tackling efficiency rate of 96.35 per cent, including only seven missed tackles.
With Nicoll-Klokstad suspended, Taine Tuaupiki returns as the starting fullback. The rest of the lineup remains unchanged from the team that faced the Broncos, including loose forward Erin Clark and hooker Wayde Egan, both of whom have played every game this year. The six-man bench includes hooker Sam Healey, middle forwards Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, along with centre Adam Pompey and second rower Morgan Gannon. Cleary is on the extended bench.
The Warriors enter round 25 level on 36 points with second-placed Penrith, trailing only marginally on points differential. They will face a South Sydney side currently sitting seventh on the ladder after a 22-6 victory over the Bulldogs last week.
Match Details and Team Form
The match is scheduled for a 5:30 PM local time kick-off in Sydney, which translates to 7:30 PM NZT. The Warriors will be looking to maintain their strong form, having won their last three matches. Their recent performance against the Broncos resulted in a 40-6 win. The Rabbitohs are also in good form, with a two-match winning streak.
Historically, in 40 meetings since 1998, the Rabbitohs hold a slight advantage with 21 wins to the Warriors’ 19. Their last encounter in June 2025 saw the Warriors secure a 36-30 victory. The Warriors’ largest win against the Rabbitohs was a 66-0 shutout in 2006, while the Rabbitohs responded with a 60-22 win 15 years later.
The Rabbitohs have welcomed back David Fifita and Cam Murray from injury, with Latrell Mitchell’s return also imminent. Mitchell has been included in the reserves for this match. Wayne Bennett has named former Warrior Euan Aitken in the starting side for the Rabbitohs, replacing Adam Elliott, who is out with a groin injury. Liam Le Blanc joins the bench for the Rabbitohs.
The Warriors will need to overcome the Rabbitohs’ strong record at Accor Stadium, where they have won their past eight matches. The match officials for the game will be referee Todd Smith, touch judges Drew Oultram and Kasey Badger, and senior review official Grant Atkins.
The Warriors will look to continue their push for a home final as the regular season concludes.
Source: warriors.kiwi
