Warriors skipper out again as injuries hit squad for Sharks clash

The Warriors will be without captain Mitchell Barnett for Sunday’s round five clash against the Cronulla at Shark Park in Sydney.

Barnett’s return lasted just two games after a 293-day absence. The skipper is sidelined again after breaking his right thumb in last Friday’s 32-14 loss to the West Tigers in Auckland.

In a now-deleted Instagram story, Barnett wrote: “When it rains it pours BRB [be right back],” before removing the post shortly after.

Tongan forward Demetric Vaimauga headlines the changes, coming onto the interchange bench in Barnett’s place.

Head coach Andrew Webster has also named Chanel Harris-Tavita and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava on the interchange, while Morgan Gannon, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, and Ali Leiataua are listed as reserves.

All three reserves have been named to feature in the New South Wales Cup clash against the Newtown Jets at Henson Park on Saturday.

Mitchell Barnett of the Warriors. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

The Warriors remain without several other key names, including Kurt Capewell (calf), Te Maire Martin (leg), and centre Rocco Berry (shoulder).

Cronulla will be looking to build on their shock win against 2025 minor premiers, the Raiders, in Canberra last weekend.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has made one change to his side, with prop Tom Hazelton starting and Toby Rudolph moving to the bench.

Early in the season, the Warriors sit inside the top three on the ladder while the Sharks are ninth, setting up a clash that could shape the early competition standings.

When: Sunday 5 April

Location: Shark Park, Sydney

Kick-off: 4pm (NZT)

Teams:

Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Luke Metcalf, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark. Interchange: Sam Healey, Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava.

Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Samuel Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall, Nicholas Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun. Interchange: Siosifa Talakai, Thomas Hazelton, Oregon Kaufusi, Braden Uele, Mawene Hiroti, Hohepa Puru.