Rocco Berry making return with New South Wales Cup team

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Wed 15 Mar 2023, 05:05 AM

Centre Rocco Berry will make his return from injury when he lines up for the One New Zealand Warriors’ New South Wales Cup side in their third-round encounter with the North Sydney Bears at the Trusts Arena in Waitakere on Sunday (1.00pm kick-off).

A foot injury hindered the 21-year-old’s preseason campaign ruling him out of contention for the two Preseason Challenge matches and the opening two rounds of the season.

Berry has also been named on the NRL team’s extended bench for their third-round game against North Queensland.

Head coach Slade Griffin has been forced to make a number of changes to his unbeaten side.

Fullback Taine Tuaupiki has been selected to make his NRL debut this week while Jazz Tevaga has also been included in the NRL squad after making his return from injury with the New South Wales Cup side last week.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 19 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Bears

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 20 Geronimo Doyle

Fullback for Bears is number 1 Josh Bergamin
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Setu Tu

Winger for Bears is number 2 Tuipulotu Katoa
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua

Centre for Bears is number 3 Junior Pauga
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Rocco Berry

Centre for Bears is number 4 William Fakatoumafi
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Sanele Aukusitino

Winger for Bears is number 18 Toa Mata'afa
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Eiden Ackland

Five-Eighth for Bears is number 6 Jesse Marschke
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Ronald Volkman

Halfback for Bears is number 7 Ben Stevanovic

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Zyon Maiu'u

Prop for Bears is number 8 Kurt De Luis
Hooker for Warriors is number 12 Michael Sio

Hooker for Bears is number 9 Ben Marschke
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tahi Baggaley

Prop for Bears is number 10 Phillip Makatoa
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kalani Going

2nd Row for Bears is number 11 Dane Aukafolau
2nd Row for Warriors is number 17 Josh Curran

2nd Row for Bears is number 12 Reuben Porter
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Demitric Sifakula

Lock for Bears is number 13 Zach Dockar-Clay

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Paul Roache

Interchange for Bears is number 14 Tyran Ott
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Moala Graham-Taufa

Interchange for Bears is number 15 Ben Thomas
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Nicholas Halalilo

Interchange for Bears is number 16 Regan Hughes
Interchange for Warriors is number 23 Paterika Vaivai

Interchange for Bears is number 17 Jerry Key

Reserves

Replacement for Bears is number 19 Kieran Hayman
Reserve for Warriors is number 18 Mosese Faeamani

Last updated: 5/29/2023 1:46:44 AM

Apart from Berry replacing Viliami Vailea, Ben Farr moves to fullback, Eiden Ackland comes into the halves, Paul Roache replaces Freddy Lussick at hooker, Tahi Baggaley is named in the front row and Demitric Sifakula returns from a one-match suspension.

As well as centre Ali Leiataua and Sifakula, the club's third development player Jacob Laban is on the bench.

While the One New Zealand Warriors are coming off wins against Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters, the Bears had a close 12-18 loss to premiership winner Penrith and beat Canberra 24-18 last weekend.