SG Ball Cup: Two players to debut against Panthers

Two players will make their SG Ball Cup (under-19) debuts in the One New Zealand Warriors’ second-round clash against Penrith at HE Laybutt Field in Sydney on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off local time; 3.30pm NZT).

 

After being 18th man for last week’s loss to Manly Warringah, Connor Bowden, out of Botany Downs Secondary College in Auckland, comes onto the wing while St Paul’s College product Compton Purcell – used on the wing against the Sea Eagles – is switched to the centres.

Hiraka Waitai-Haenga (Hamilton Boys’ High School) is moved from the centres to the second row replacing Romana Whitiora (Wharekura o Rakaumanga, Huntly and St Paul’s College).

 

The one change on the bench sees debutant Tepatasi Laumalili (De La Salle College) called in with Tyrone Hurt-Pickering (St Paul’s College) named as 18th man.

 

The One New Zealand Warriors are coming off a 14-28 loss in a contest which saw them fight back to be just 14-16 behind with 20 minutes to play.

 

After leading 12-0 early on, the Panthers went on to lose their opening match 16-30 to Cronulla Sutherland.

After being 18th man for last week’s loss to Manly Warringah, Connor Bowden, out of Botany Downs Secondary College in Auckland, comes onto the wing while St Paul’s College product Compton Purcell – used on the wing against the Sea Eagles – is switched to the centres.