LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Team Update: Leiataua ruled out
The NZ Warriors have announced that center Ali Leiataua will not play in Saturday's NRL Magic Round clash against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The match kicks off at 5:30 PM local time (7:30 PM NZT).
Leiataua was originally included in an unchanged starting lineup but has been ruled out due to an ankle injury sustained during Thursday's training session.
In Leiataua's absence, Adam Pompey will move back into the centers, with Edward Kosi stepping in to fill the left wing position.
Additionally, halfback Tanah Boyd and second rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava have been omitted from the extended squad prior to the 24-hour deadline.
Currently, the Warriors hold sixth place on the ladder with 10 points, while the fifth-placed Broncos are closely trailing them.
The Warriors are tied for second place with the Storm and Raiders, each having 12 points, but sit fourth based on points differential.
The Bulldogs lead the table with 14 points.
The Warriors' 5-2 start to their 2025 season is notable, as it has only been surpassed once in the club's history-during the 2018 season when they began with a 6-1 record after their first seven games.