largely unchanged side has been named for the One New Zealand Warriors’ second-round SG Ball Cup clash against the North Sydney Bears at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on Sunday (11.00am kick-off).
The Grant Pocklington-coached Warriors emerged with plenty of credit but ultimate disappointment when they opened the under-19 pathways competition with a 20-32 loss to defending premiers the Parramatta Eels last Sunday.
Of the starting line-up used against the Eels there is one forced change with Raphael Sio named on the wing for the unavailable Sio Kali, one of the Warriors’ try scorers against the Eels. Kali has been ruled out after being concussed.
Pocklington has named an extended seven-man bench.
North Sydney is coming off a 16-32 first-round loss to Melbourne. The Bears finished 14th on the ladder last season.
Frontline One New Zealand Warriors players and Warriors Community Foundation staff will run a packed programme of school visits, clinics and activations in Christchurch ahead of the club’s Preseason Challenge encounter with the Wests Tigers at Apollo Projects Stadium on February 18
Included on the agenda are visits to five schools, two coaching clinics – one focused on women – question and answer sessions with senior NRL players and another with head coach Andrew Webster plus an opportunity for the public to see the One New Zealand Warriors train.
