Warriors Women beaten by Sharks Women in NRLW clash

The Warriors Women have been beaten 22-14 by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Hamilton

• The Warriors made a strong start to lead 10-6 at halftime.
• Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones was sent to the sin bin in the 48th minute.
• Sharks fullback Emma Verran and Warriors wing Tyra Wetere both scored doubles.
• Payton Takimoana also scored for the Warriors, while Cassie Staples and Stephanie Faulkner scored for the Sharks.

Match preview

Coach Ronald Griffiths has been forced to replace second-rower Matekino Gray and centre Tysha Ikenasio after the pair were both sent off during last week’s 20-16 loss to the Canberra Raiders.

Gray and Ikenasio will sit out two and three games after pleading guilty to a dangerous lifting tackle and a hip-drop tackle, respectively.

The Warriors Women have been somewhat bolstered, however, with the return of captain Apii Nicholls at fullback and Patricia Maliepo at five-eighth.

Backs Tyra Wetere and Shakira Baker have also returned to the starting line-up, forcing the shuffle of Emmanita Paki from fullback to halfback and Lydia Turua-Quedley from halfback to hooker.

Makayla Eli comes into the starting line-up in the second row, while youngster Ashlee Matapo earns her first NRLW start in the front row after the late withdrawal of Metanoia Fotu-Moala due to a hamstring injury.

Rookie utility back Kalyn Takitimu-Cook has been elevated to the bench and is in line for her NRLW debut.

Payton Takimoana, who has been a standout this season – scoring 10 tries in her last six games – lines up on the wing again for the Warriors.

The Warriors Women sit in seventh place on the NRLW ladder, one point behind the Gold Coast Titans in sixth, with four rounds remaining in the regular season.

The Sharks are in fifth place, coming off a narrow 12-8 win over the Titans.

Warriors Women: 1. Apii Nicholls, 2. Tyra Wetere, 3. Kaiyah Atai, 4. Shakira Baker, 5. Payton Takimoana, 6. Patricia Maliepo, 7. Emmanita Paki, 8. Metanoia Fotu-Moala, 9. Lydia Turua-Quedley, 16. Ashlee Matapo, 11. Maarire Puketapu, 12. Makayla Eli, 13. Laishon Albert-Jones.

Interchange (from): 14. Capri Paekau, 15. Harata Butler, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti, 19. Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, 18. Avery-Rose Carmont, 20. Felila Kia.