LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The NZ Warriors have named Bunty Afoa and Jackson Ford as starting props for their NRL match against Canberra this Sunday at Go Media Stadium.
They replace co-captains Mitchell Barnett and James Fisher-Harris, with Barnett unavailable due to his selection for the New South Wales State of Origin and Fisher-Harris suspended following a guilty plea for a high tackle.
Afoa, a 144-game veteran, and Ford, with 85 games under his belt, were previously ruled out against the Dolphins due to injury and concussion, respectively, but have now been cleared to play.
This match is significant as it sees the second-placed Warriors, currently holding 18 points, face off against the third-ranked Raiders, who have 16 points.
The rest of the team remains unchanged from the lineup that helped the Warriors achieve an 8-2 record following five consecutive wins against teams such as Brisbane and Newcastle.
This season's start matches the franchise best from 2018 and 2002, although they still trail the all-time best of 11-2 from the 2002 season's initial rounds.
This upcoming match marks the 53rd meeting between the Warriors and Canberra, coming 13 weeks after their disappointing 8-30 loss in the season opener in Las Vegas.
Since that match, the Warriors have rebounded with an impressive 8-1 record filled with closely contested victories.