Rocco Berry was forced from the field against Souths with a hamstring twinge. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Warriors v Sharks
Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June
Sharks Stadium Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Injury-plagued NZ Warriors centre Rocco Berry has joined co-captain Mitch Barnett on the sidelines for their away game against Cronulla Sharks on Saturday.
After having a fully fit squad to choose from last week - the first time since 2023 - coach Andrew Webster has had to juggle his line-up again, with Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge that forced him from the field against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday.
Berry has struggled to stay on the park for the Warriors after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury, withdrawing from his scheduled return against Wests Tigers with hamstring trouble, picking up a suspension in his eventual return against Melbourne Storm and then missing three more games with his dodgy hammy.
He has managed just four appearances so far this campaign.
Webster has addressed Berry's absence by shifting versatile second-rower Kurt Capewell into the midfield, but also has specialist centre Ali Leiataua on an extended bench.
Teenage sensation Leka Halasima has moved into the starting pack, where he has lined up in six of his 12 appearances this season. Without Barnett, Jackson Ford has been promoted from the bench to start in the front row.
Meanwhile, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua Blake to face his old team for the first time, since his early release to return across the Tasman.
Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, so Hamilton-born Sione Katoa makes his comeback from shoulder reconstruction, while NZ-born players Mawene Hiroti, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele also named.
Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: 18 Tom Alex, 20 Sam Healey, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Ali Leiataua, 23 Taine Tuaupiki
Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Mawene Hiroti, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nico Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cam McInnes
Interchange: 14 Daniel Atkinson, 15 Jesse Colquhoun, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves: 18 Billy Burns, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20 Hopeha Puru, 21 Jayden Berrell, 22 Niwhai Puru
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