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Team List: Afoa, Ford named as replacement props - warriors.kiwi
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<p>Bunty Afoa and Jackson Ford have been named to replace co-captains Mitchell Barnett and James Fisher-Harris as the One New Zealand Warriors’ starting props for Sunday’s top three NRL encounter with Canberra at Go Media Stadium (6.05pm kick-off).</p>
<p>Barnett is unavailable due to his New South Wales State of Origin selection while Fisher-Harris is suspended this week after taking an early guilty plea on a high tackle charge he received following Saturday’s 16-12 win over the Dolphins.</p>
<p>The 144-game veteran Afoa (knee) and 85-game forward Ford (concussion) were both ruled out of the clash against the Dolphins but have been cleared to return for this week’s contest between the second-placed Warriors (18 points) and the third-ranked Raiders (16 points).</p>
<p>The rest of the 17 listed in the initial lineup is the same as the one used when the club extended its season start to 8-2 following five straight wins over Brisbane, Newcastle, North Queensland, St George Illawarra and the Dolphins. The record matches the previous best starts to a season in 2018 and 2002 but is still short of the mark of 11-2 created by the 2002 side in the opening 13 rounds that year.</p>
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<p>With Barnett and Fisher-Harris missing, Kurt Capewell has been named as captain.</p>
<p>While Afoa and Ford make returns, centre Ali Leiataua could be considered to come back after being included on the extended bench in jersey #22.</p>
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<p>He has missed the last three matches after picking up an ankle injury in a field session ahead of the Magic Round match against North Queensland.</p>
<p>The interchange as it stands now again boasts three 21-year-old forwards including prop Tanner Stowers-Smith who became Warrior #292 making his debut last Saturday.</p>
<p>This will be the 53rd meeting between the Warriors and Canberra, 13 weeks on from the Las Vegas season opener which finished in a disappointing 8-30 loss for the Warriors.</p>
<p>Since then they have had an 8-1 record in a campaign highlighted by a series of tight and tense wins.</p>
<p>Following five consecutive wins over the Sharks, Eels, Titans, Dolphins and Storm, Canberra lost to the Bulldogs before rebounding with 40-24 victory over Gold Coast last Sunday.</p>
<p>Like the Warriors they have lost one player to State of Origin selection with back rower Hudson Young joining Barnett in the New South Wales squad.</p> </div>
<div>
<p>Bunty Afoa and Jackson Ford have been named to replace co-captains Mitchell Barnett and James Fisher-Harris as the One New Zealand Warriors’ starting props for Sunday’s top three NRL encounter with Canberra at Go Media Stadium (6.05pm kick-off).</p>
<p>Barnett is unavailable due to his New South Wales State of Origin selection while Fisher-Harris is suspended this week after taking an early guilty plea on a high tackle charge he received following Saturday’s 16-12 win over the Dolphins.</p>
<p>The 144-game veteran Afoa (knee) and 85-game forward Ford (concussion) were both ruled out of the clash against the Dolphins but have been cleared to return for this week’s contest between the second-placed Warriors (18 points) and the third-ranked Raiders (16 points).</p>
<p>The rest of the 17 listed in the initial lineup is the same as the one used when the club extended its season start to 8-2 following five straight wins over Brisbane, Newcastle, North Queensland, St George Illawarra and the Dolphins. The record matches the previous best starts to a season in 2018 and 2002 but is still short of the mark of 11-2 created by the 2002 side in the opening 13 rounds that year.</p>
</div><div>
<p>With Barnett and Fisher-Harris missing, Kurt Capewell has been named as captain.</p>
<p>While Afoa and Ford make returns, centre Ali Leiataua could be considered to come back after being included on the extended bench in jersey #22.</p>
<figure>
<picture>
<source media="(max-width: 28.25em)" srcset="https://www.warriors.kiwi/siteasset...?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-inline-small">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://www.warriors.kiwi/siteasset...3f.jpg?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-inline">
</picture>
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>He has missed the last three matches after picking up an ankle injury in a field session ahead of the Magic Round match against North Queensland.</p>
<p>The interchange as it stands now again boasts three 21-year-old forwards including prop Tanner Stowers-Smith who became Warrior #292 making his debut last Saturday.</p>
<p>This will be the 53rd meeting between the Warriors and Canberra, 13 weeks on from the Las Vegas season opener which finished in a disappointing 8-30 loss for the Warriors.</p>
<p>Since then they have had an 8-1 record in a campaign highlighted by a series of tight and tense wins.</p>
<p>Following five consecutive wins over the Sharks, Eels, Titans, Dolphins and Storm, Canberra lost to the Bulldogs before rebounding with 40-24 victory over Gold Coast last Sunday.</p>
<p>Like the Warriors they have lost one player to State of Origin selection with back rower Hudson Young joining Barnett in the New South Wales squad.</p> </div>
