Exciting outside back Sio Kali makes his return to the field in the One New Zealand Warriors’ 19th-round Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) match against the Parramatta Eels at Lidcombe Oval in Sydney on Saturday (1.00pm kick-off local time; 3.00pm NZT).
Kali, who had his 19th birthday in May, makes his comeback at fullback via the under-21 grade after being forced off the field in the New South Wales Cup team’s win over Penrith in round 11 on May 18.
A Point Chevalier Pirates junior and St Paul’s College product, he was outstanding at schoolboy level in both rugby league and rugby union.
After making four appearances and scoring four tries as a 17-year-old for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup side last season, he started 2024 with the under-19 team this year, adding two tries in three outings and then scoring the Warriors’ only two tries in his Jersey Flegg debut against the Knights on March 31.
An eventful season took another turn a week later when he made a try-scoring New South Wales Cup debut against the Rabbitohs, went back to Flegg – and added another try – in a home loss to Manly and then returned to the NSW Cup the following week when he provided what proved to be the last-second match-winning try for winger Setu Tu in a 28-20 victory over the Dragons.
Match: Eels v Warriors
ROUND 19 –Â
home Team
Eels
away Team
Warriors
TEAM LISTS
BACKS
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1Zachary HunterFullback for Warriors is number 1Sio Kali
-
Winger for Eels is number 4Araz NanvaWinger for Warriors is number 2Ezekiel Tavita
-
Centre for Eels is number 3Antioch Faitala-MarinerCentre for Warriors is number 4Sialetili Faeamani
-
Centre for Eels is number 20Devonte Vaivela
-
Winger for Eels is number 5Oliver MCCARTHYWinger for Warriors is number 5Rapheal Sio
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6Te Hurinui TwidleFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6Jesse Soric
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7Matthew HunterHalfback for Warriors is number 7Cassius Cowley
FORWARDS
-
Prop for Eels is number 8Sam TuivaitiProp for Warriors is number 8Tobias Crosby
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9Ryley SmithHooker for Warriors is number 9Caleb Laiman
-
Prop for Eels is number 10Teancum BrownProp for Warriors is number 10Rodney Tuipulotuvea
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11William Lewis2nd Row for Warriors is number 11Alvin Chong Nee
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12Tyrese Lokeni2nd Row for Warriors is number 12Augustino Filipo
-
Lock for Eels is number 13Damascus NeemiaLock for Warriors is number 13Ieti Samuelu
INTERCHANGE
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14Yehya AyacheInterchange for Warriors is number 14Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16Javahn Stevenson-HalaInterchange for Warriors is number 15Mikaele ILAIU
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17Jezaiah Funa-IutaInterchange for Warriors is number 16Presley Seumanu Tigafua
-
Interchange for Eels is number 21Michael AbdowInterchange for Warriors is number 17Tallan Egan
RESERVES
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18Lebron TualaReplacement for Warriors is number 18Compton Purcell
Eels Ins
- Devonte Vaivela
- Javahn Stevenson-Hala
- Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
- Lebron Tuala
- Michael Abdow
- Ryley Smith
- Zachary Hunter
Warriors Ins
- Ieti Samuelu
- Jesse Soric
- Mikaele ILAIU
- Presley Seumanu Tigafua
- Sio Kali
Eels Outs
- Domenico De Stradis
- Joshua Lynn
- Max Tupou
- Mohamed Alameddine
- Patrick Spence
- Raffaele De Stradis
- Saxon Pryke
Warriors Ins
- Ben Peni
- Etuate Fukofuka
- Kayliss Fatialofa
- Maui Winitana-Patelesio
- Paaua Papuni-abbott
- Paea Sikuvea
Last updated:Â
That cemented a run of five straight NSW Cup outings before injury intervened sidelining him for the past eight weeks.
In his six NSW Cup games he has averaged 101 metres, provided three try assists, made two line breaks and 29 tackle breaks.
Now he makes his way back at a time when the Warriors are seeking to snap a run of four losses against Wests Tigers and the Dragons followed by top two sides the Raiders and the Bulldogs in the last two rounds.
The Eels sit three points ahead of the Warriors in 11th spot of the ladder having won four of their last five games, their loss a 0-30 defeat by competition leader Canberra.