Magpies looking to build on platform against Warriors

Author: Dan Talintyre
Timestamp: Fri 22 Mar 2019, 08:01 PM

Western Suburbs Magpies will be looking to build on their strong Round 1 win when they take on the New Zealand Warriors this Sunday in Round 2 of the Canterbury Cup competition.

Cruising to a 23-4 win in their season opener against Manly last weekend, Brett Hodgson's side will head back to their spiritual home at the former Orana Park now for a clash against the Warriors as they look to make it two wins from two.

The Magpies have named a similar team from last week's successful outfit for Sunday's game, but are without hooker Jacob Liddle, who will miss the next few games with an ankle injury he picked up last week. Soni Luke — who trained with the NRL squad throughout the pre-season — comes in to the side as a more than handy replacement, however, with Braden Robson also listed on the bench.

With Wests Tigers naming four players amongst the reserves for their NRL game on Sunday, and captain Moses Mbye firming to play, it's possible that the Magpies could have four more NRL players drop back to their side on game day — including five-eighth Josh Reynolds, as indicated earlier in the week by Michael Maguire.

Reynolds was an unused 18th man in last week's win, but could be set for some game time on Sunday as he looks to fight his way back in to the club's best 17.

Maguire provides update on Mbye injury, Reynolds selection

His possible inclusion would make for an interesting team selection on Sunday with halves Tyson Gamble and Kauri Aupouri starring in last week's win, earning selection in the Intrust Super Premiership Team of the Week. It'll be interesting to see how the final team comes together on Sunday, should Reynolds drop back.

On the other side of the ball, New Zealand come in to the game after being downed in a close one last week by the Bulldogs, and will now have to make the tough trip across the Tasman still in search for their first win of 2019.

Halves Hayze Perham and Chanel Tavita-Harris will no doubt hold the key for the Warriors on the day, with the talented young duo continuing to grow their combination. The inclusion of several experienced heads in Blake Ayshford, Chris Satae, Leviaha Pulu and Ligi Sao will no doubt help their cause this weekend, and Wests will need to be on guard against a strong forward pack for the visitors.

In their two matches throughout 2018, Western Suburbs incredibly kept the Warriors scoreless through 160 minutes and will no doubt be looking to do the same again — heading in to Round 2 with the best defensive record in the competition.

Kick off for the match is at 3:55pm AEDT from Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 24 Mar

Full Time

Magpies

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Magpies is number 1 Dylan Smith

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Patrick Herbert
Winger for Magpies is number 3 Watson Heleta

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
Centre for Magpies is number 4 Kane McQuiggin

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Gerard Beale
Centre for Magpies is number 6 Tyson Gamble

Centre for Warriors is number 15 Paulos Latu
Winger for Magpies is number 5 Bilal Maarbani

Winger for Warriors is number 18 Setu Tu
Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 19 Josh Reynolds

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Hayze Perham
Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Forwards

Prop for Magpies is number 8 Oliver Clark

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Chris Satae
Hooker for Magpies is number 18 Braden Robson

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl Lawton
Prop for Magpies is number 21 Matthew Eisenhuth

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tom Ale
2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Sam McIntyre

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Blake Ayshford
2nd Row for Magpies is number 15 Dylan Clifford

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Leivaha Pulu
Lock for Magpies is number 13 Robbie Rochow

Lock for Warriors is number 16 Clayton Williams

Interchange

Interchange for Magpies is number 9 Soni Luke

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Cook
Interchange for Magpies is number 14 Patrice Siolo

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Preston Riki
Interchange for Magpies is number 16 Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Tahi Baggaley
Interchange for Magpies is number 20 Elia Faatui

Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Phillip Makatoa