Star forward Kurt Capewell sidelined as Warriors reveal exciting lineup for blockbuster home clash against reigning champs, Penrith Panthers.
urt Capewell will not line up for the One New Zealand Warriors in their eagerly awaited Round 16 NRL clash against the Penrith Panthers, set to be played in front of a full house at Go Media Stadium on Saturday. Capewell, a key figure for Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series, is currently in Perth preparing for the second game of the 2025 series against New South Wales. The match takes place tomorrow at Optus Stadium.
At 31 years of age and with 170 NRL games to his name, Capewell was unlikely to recover in time after the interstate showdown, considering the demanding schedule and travel distance. Head coach Andrew Webster has thus opted not to risk the second-row forward’s fitness for the Warriors’ first home encounter with Penrith since 2019.
Capewell’s unavailability creates a gap in the Warriors’ lineup, particularly in the centres. Rocco Berry is still unavailable due to a lingering hamstring issue, and Ali Leiataua has been ruled out for up to six weeks following an ankle injury. To address these absences, Moala Graham-Taufa has been called into the starting side. Graham-Taufa played three first-grade games in 2024, most recently featuring in the Round 22 defeat to Parramatta last August. A product of the Marist Saints club, the 23-year-old has impressed in the New South Wales Cup this season, leading the Warriors with 11 tries from 12 games.
In other team news, reliable hooker Wayde Egan returns after missing the Warriors’ Round 14 demolition of Cronulla Sutherland due to a hip injury. During Egan’s absence, Sam Healey filled in as a last-minute replacement and now returns to the extended reserves list for this weekend’s clash.
Aside from these changes, coach Webster has kept faith in the forward pack that dominated the Sharks. The front row will again feature Marata Niukore partnering with captain James Fisher-Harris, while the second row consists of young talents Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban.
Another player worth noting is rookie prop Tanner Stowers-Smith, who recently extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2028 season. He has been named on the bench again and will be making just his third NRL appearance.
Saturday’s game also holds special significance for two Warriors players: Te Maire Martin and Marata Niukore. Martin will hit the 100-game milestone in a special twist of fate—he began his NRL journey with the Panthers in 2016. For Niukore, it will be his 50th appearance for the Warriors, a noteworthy achievement for the former Eels forward who has become a dependable presence for the Auckland-based side.
The Warriors are in excellent form coming into this encounter. They are fresh from a bye week and sit second equal on the NRL ladder, sharing 24 points with Canberra. The team has managed an impressive record, winning 10 of their 13 matches this season, including their latest 40-10 drubbing of the Sharks.
The Panthers, four-time NRL champions, are always a formidable opponent. Despite being without some of their marquee names such as Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, and others, they still field a competitive and youthful side. The likes of Daine Laurie at fullback, Izack Tago in the centres, and Mitch Kenny at hooker form the core of their squad.
Here’s a breakdown of the full team lists:
Warriors Starting Lineup:
Fullback: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Wingers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak & Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Centres: Adam Pompey & Moala Graham-Taufa
Halves: Chanel Harris-Tavita (five-eighth) & Luke Metcalf (halfback)
Props: James Fisher-Harris & Marata Niukore
Hooker: Wayde Egan
Second Rowers: Leka Halasima & Jacob Laban
Lock: Erin Clark
Warriors Interchange Bench:
Te Maire Martin
Jackson Ford
Demitric Vaimauga
Tanner Stowers-Smith
Extended Warriors Bench:
Samuel Healey
Bunty Afoa
Tanah Boyd
Edward Kosi
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Players Out:
Kurt Capewell (rested post-Origin)
Taine Tuaupiki
Penrith Panthers Starting Lineup:
Fullback: Daine Laurie
Wingers: Thomas Jenkins & Paul Alamoti
Centres: Izack Tago & Casey McLean
Halves: Blaize Talagi (five-eighth) & Brad Schneider (halfback)
Props: Moses Leota & Lindsay Smith
Hooker: Mitch Kenny
Second Rowers: Scott Sorensen & Isaiah Papali’i
Lock: Matthew Eisenhuth
Panthers Interchange Bench:
Trent Toelau
Liam Henry
Luron Patea
Luke Garner
Extended Panthers Bench:
Luke Sommerton
Jack Cole
Mavrik Geyer
Preston Riki
Austin Dias
Harrison Hassett
Jaxen Edgar
Notable Panthers Absentees:
Brian To’o
Dylan Edwards
Isaah Yeo
Liam Martin
Nathan Cleary
Both teams are juggling injuries and representative duties, but the Warriors seem to be better poised heading into the contest thanks to their strong recent form and home-field advantage. With Capewell out, all eyes will be on the new-look edge combinations and the impact of returning players like Wayde Egan and milestone men Te Maire Martin and Marata Niukore.
Saturday’s clash is expected to be intense, with fans packing Go Media Stadium for what promises to be one of the most exciting fixtures of the season so far.
