Vulcans back home today against Jets

Refreshed from a week off, the Auckland Vulcans will be out to revive their up and down season when they take on the Newtown Jets in today’s New South Wales Cup clash at Mount Smart Stadium No 2.

After making last year’s grand final, the Vulcans haven’t been unable to develop momentum this year with injuries to a number of Vodafone Warriors NRL players severely affecting the supply of the club’s players to the Vulcans.

They go into today’s match with a 7-9 win loss record, leaving them 11th although still only two points outside the top eight.

They’ll have four Vodafone Warriors NRL squad players in their line-up for the 1.00pm match, including 50-game first-grader Ukuma Ta’ai in the second row. Also in the back row, as he has been all season, is Sam Lousi along with Sebastine Ikahihifo while Ivan Penehe is on the wing.

Running the show at halfback is current Vodafone Junior Warrior Jordan Meads while the squad also includes former Vodafone Junior Warriors DJ Collier, Rusty Bristow, Agnatius Paasi and Daniel Palavi. Former Vodafone Warriors prop Upu Poching starts in the front row.

A few familiar faces in Newtown's team, too. Returning home is former Vodfaone Junior Warrior Adam Henry, the Mount Albert Grammar Old Boy who recently made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters.Named on the bench is former Vodafone Junior Warrior Kurt Kara and big forward Saulala Houma, who was in the Vodafone Warriors' NRL squad last year and also turned out for the Vulcans.

Team: Steve Waetford, DJ Collier, Rusty Bristow, Atelea Nafetalai, Ivan Penehe, Willie Stowers, Jordan Meads, Suaia Matagi, Aaron Nootai, Upu Poching, Ukuma Ta’ai, Sam Lousi, Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Murray Iti, Willie Peace, Agnatius Paasi, Daniel Palavi, Jerrico Tanuvasa.
Coach: Ricky Henry.