The One New Zealand Warriors are on course to launch the 2025 season as selected against Canberra in the first of the two NRL matches in the Las Vegas blockbuster at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday PST (4.00pm kick-off local time; 1.00pm Sunday, March 2 NZT).
The originally-selected 1-17 lineup remains intact after four field sessions in the entertainment capital this week.
Following a visit to Allegiant Stadium after the final team run, head coach Andrew Webster confirmed teenaged second rower-prop Eddie Ieremia and experienced half Te Maire Martin had been retained in the 19-man game day squad.
Omitted from the 22 were hooker Sam Healey, prop Bunty Afoa and winger Edward Kosi.
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris is the only player named to make his One New Zealand Warriors debut in the historic clash.
Bringing four straight premiership wins with Penrith to his new home, the Kiwi captain lines up alongside fellow co-captain Mitchell Barnett in the Warriors’ starting front row.
The 203-game 29-year-old Northlander becomes Warrior #290 as the club begins its 31st season with its first premiership match played outside New Zealand or Australia.
Allegiant Stadium will be the 51st venue for a premiership match in the Warriors’ history.
While Fisher-Harris makes his club debut fellow offseason signing Erin Clark will start at loose forward 2914 days since his NRL debut and only other previous appearance for the One New Zealand Warriors on March 10, 2017.
Fisher-Harris is one of four changes to the starting lineup used in the final Preseason Challenge clash against the Melbourne Storm in Hamilton on February 15.
He and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad return after representing the Māori All Stars in Sydney on the night of the Storm trial while
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Barnett and centre Adam Pompey are also back after missing the Hamilton hit-out.
In the vastly-experienced pack, Clark is the only one yet to make 100 appearances and he’s on the verge of doing so as he plays his 96th match this weekend.
