NRLW Match Preview: Round 10 v Warriors

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 4 Sep 2026, 12:30 PM

With only two games left in their 2026 campaign, the Sharks are searching for just their second victory of the season and hope they are able to do that across the ditch against the Warriors.

New Zealand currently sit 7th on the NRLW ladder and still have their finals hopes alive, but Cronulla are driven to finish their last two games on a high after a tough year.

“For us it’s been a disappointing season, but we want to shift that mentality and take a lot of learnings and resilience out of what this season has presented us, and (we) just need to enjoy our footy for the last couple of rounds,” NRLW Captain Tiana Penitani Gray expressed.

Huge news for the visitors: Ellie Johnston, Quincy Dodd, and Georgia Hannaway are all set to return for the round 10 clash. Johnston will play after missing her first-ever NRLW match following a one-game suspension, while Dodd (wrist) and Hannaway (ankle) are also cleared from injury.

“It’s my first ever game that I’ve missed, so I'm really hungry to get back into it,” Johnston said.

Other possible inclusions on Saturday are the return of powerful centre Annessa Biddle and promising young forward Stephanie Faulkner. Both have been named on the extended bench and could be the strike Cronulla have missed.

Another positive story of the week is that Johnston was awarded the NSW Women's Origin Award at the Brad Fittler Medal on Monday night. The accolade is given to someone who displays exceptional performance, commitment, and standard for the blue jersey.

“It was very special… It's a privilege that I was the one who got it, and it’s also really nice to be recognised by all the coaching staff as well,” she told Sharks media.

The 25-year-old has been instrumental for Cronulla over the past few seasons and has cemented herself as a leader in the squad and forward pack and is hoping to bring that to this weekend's battle.

“They’re (Warriors) pretty talented across the park; they have a pretty big forward pack as well. So, I think it’s going to be a middle game; we’ve got to muscle up and go through their middle and hopefully burn them out,” Johnston said.

Despite the Sharks taking the cake in a close 22-14 contest against the Warriors last season, both clubs have completely different sides, and this competition has proven time and time again how unpredictable each contest can be.

As Ellie highlighted, this clash could be won by the middles, who will undoubtedly go at it all game. What better matchup to watch than the woman herself, facing her opposing number eight, Warriors prop and Samoan international Annetta Nu'uausala.

The Sharks and Warriors game is scheduled to kick off at 12:30pm Sydney time and at 2:30pm Auckland time at Go Media Stadium in New Zealand.

See the 24-hour team lists below.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Saturday 5 Sep

2:30 am

Warriors

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Anastasia Sekene

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey Waaka

Centre for Sharks is number 4 China Polata
Winger for Warriors is number 18 Payton Takimoana

Winger for Sharks is number 19 Marewakiterangi Samson
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Gayle Broughton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Madison Ashby
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia Maliepo

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin Huriwai

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino Gray

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-Green
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Talei Holmes
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kaiyah Atai

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Georgia Hannaway
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jacinta Carter
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Mya Hill-Moana

Replacement for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock
Reserve for Warriors is number 19 Natalia Hickling

Reserve for Sharks is number 17 Filomina Hanisi
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Stephanie Faulkner
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Annessa Biddle