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Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the NZ Warriors v Gold Goast Titans NRL clash at Auckland's Go Media Stadium.
After their worst performance of the season in last week's 30-12 defeat to St George Dragons, the Warriors will be keen to bounce back quickly against the winless cellardwellers. Gold Coast's only competition points so far have come from an early bye.
The Warriors' cause won't be helped by yet another injury to a key forward, with second-rower Kurt Capewell ruled ou with a throat injury.
Rookie Jacob Laban will start for the first time in his young NRL career, while powerful forward Zyon Maiu'u will likely make his debut off the bench.
Capewell joins Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf), Marata Niukore (foot), Jazz Tevaga (hamstring), Bunty Afoa (hamstring) and Luke Metcalf (leg) on the sidelines, but utility bench Dylan Walker will return from eight weeks rehabbing an ankle injury.
Fulback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will bring up his 100th NRL appearance.
Join us at 4pm for kickoff.
TAB Odds: Warriors $1.24, Titans $3.95
Jett Cleary, younger brother of Nathan, signs with NZ Warriors on three-year deal
NZ Warriors have signed Penrith rising star Jett Cleary - the younger brother of Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary - to a three-year deal.
Jett, 19, whose father Ivan Cleary is also the coach of the three-time defending NRL champion Panthers, has made the move to aid his development and ambition to play first grade.
Born in New Zealand, when his father Ivan was coaching the Warriors, Jett starred for the Panthers throughout their youth ranks and currently plays halfback for the Panthers SG Ball side.
He was tipped by many to eventually partner hi brother in the halves for the Panthers, as the club prepares to bid farewell longstanding five-eighth Jarome Luai at the end of this season.
"It's an exciting time for us to be able to bring a player of Jett's quality into our pathways system from next season," said NZ Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"The Cleary family has the strongest links with our club through Ivan's time with us, and it's a special thrill to sign Jett and have the Cleary name back with us.
"We're again truly grateful for the cooperation from Penrith and Ivan in helping to make this possible."
The signing comes as the future of starting halfback Shaun Johnson remains uncertain. The 2023 Dally M Medal runner-up is signed until the end of the season, but has yet to sign a contract extension with the club.
The Auckland-based NRL club has also announced it has secured the services of NZ Kiwis captain and Panthers superstar James Fisher-Harris on a four-year deal, with the prop in line to replace the departing Addin Fonua-Blake.
