RAPIRA NAMED IN STARTING BACK ROW FOR MANLY CLASH

Kiwi prop Sam Rapira has been named to start in the back row in the Vodafone Warriors’ second-round NRL clash against Manly at Brookvale Oval today.
Originally named in the front row, Rapira (21) has been named in the second row with Jacob Lillyman listed to fill the unavailable Micheal Luck’s position at loose forward.
While the majority of his 64 NRL appearances have been at prop in either the starting line-up or off the bench, Rapira has filled in as a back rower on occasions in the past.
His shift sees Russell Packer (19) against starting in the front row, as he did last week against the Eels.
The confirmed interchange bench comprises Stacey Jones, set to play his first game for the club since his 238th in the 2005 season-ending clash against Manly, plus former Newcastle prop Jesse Royal, fellow front rower Leeson Ah Mau (a first-time NRL player last week) and today’s debutant second rower Ukuma Ta’ai.
Royal becomes Vodafone Warrior No 148 and Ta’ai No 149.
The Vodafone Warriors lost 6-52 – the third heaviest loss in the club’s history – in the corresponding fixture against Manly at Brookvale Oval early last season. The Sea Eagles also won three other clashes last year – the regular season game at Mount Smart Stadium, the preliminary final at the Sydney Football Stadium and a preseason trial on the Sunshine Coast.
While Ta’ai and Royal will play for the Vodafone Warriors for the first time today, halfback Nathan Fien will edge closer to becoming the 13th player to appear in 100 NRL matches for the club. This will be his 98th outing and, with the injured Evarn Tuimavave locked on 99, Fien is likely to reach three figures first; he’s also nearing his 200-game career milestone with what will be his 189th game.

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 WADE McKINNON
2 DENAN KEMP
3 BRENT TATE
4 JEROME ROPATI
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 JOEL MOON
7 NATHAN FIEN
15 RUSSELL PACKER
9 IAN HENDERSON
10 STEVE PRICE (c)
8 SAM RAPIRA
11 SIMON MANNERING
12 JACOB LILLYMAN
Interchange:
14 STACEY JONES
16 JESSE ROYAL
17 UKUMA TA’AI
20 LEESON AH MAU

18TH MAN: AARON HEREMAIA