NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans
Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 23 August
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
NZ Warriors are poised to solve a midfield riddle that has confounded them most of the NRL season, if Rocco Berry returns to the line-up against Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.
Berry, 24, has been included in the starting unit for the trip across the Tasman, the latest instalment of a season that just hasn't quite taken off for the son of former All Black Marty Berry.
"Rocco's in, if he's fit," coach Andrew Webster revealed. "He trained well today - he's got some boxes to tick and if he does that really well, he'll be ready to go."
If he takes the field, the centre will celebrate his 50th first-grade outing for the Auckland club, but just six appearances in 2025. In fact, Berry hasn't managed to finish consecutive games in a campaign plagued with injury.
Here's how his season has unfolded:
- Missed the opening three games, after off-season shoulder surgery
- Was named against Wests Tigers in Round 4, but withdrew with a hamstring tweak in training
- Finally took the field against Melbourne Storm, but was cited for a careless high tackle and suspended the next game against Brisbane Broncos
- Returned against Newcastle Knights, but picked up another hamstring injury against North Queensland Cowboys and missed the next three games
- Took the field against South Sydney Rabbitohs, but left midway through the second half with another hamstring strain and missed two games
- Returned against the Broncos, but then dislocated his shoulder against Wests Tigers and has missed the last six games
In a season when injuries have really tested the Warriors depth, arguably none have hijacked their line-up more than the midfield conundrum, where Ali Leiataua has also missed more than he's played with a variety of ailments.
Rocco Berry hasn't managed to finish consecutive games this season. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
While Adam Pompey has incredibly logged every minute of every game, although some were on the wing, Webster has had to rotate five others through the midfield, employing Queensland second-rower Kurt Capewell out of position there, before finally switching Pompey to shore up a leaky right-edge defence and moving fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to left centre.
In addition, utility Te Maire Martin has often had to fill in there, when Berry hasn't gone the distance. His return would restore some much-needed stability to the backline.
"We've handled it really well at times and other times, it's stung us a bit, but we're good enough to handle that," Webster reflected. "We played the Dolphins, where Capey marked Herbie Farnworth and did a terrific job.
"Capey had a great Origin, we moved him back to centre and - in Capey's words and my words - it didn't go to plan. We haven't had that consistency around it, but at times, people like Kurt have done an amazing job for us.
"There's been a bit of disruption there - at times, we've handled it well and other times, I wish we'd handled it better.
"If Rocco is fit this week, I'm not expecting him to go out there and be perfect, but it balances our team up much better."
While Webster loses the services of ever-reliable front-rower Jackson Ford to suspension, he also welcomes Capewell and Martin back from concussion protocols, with the option of using Martin at half or off the bench.
Youngster Demitric Vaimauga takes Ford's No.10 jersey, while understudy fullback Taine Tuaupiki drops to the extended reserves.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Demitric Vaimauga, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 17. Leka Halasima
Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 20. Sam Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22, Kalani Going, 23. Ed Kosi
Meanwhile, Titans coach Des Hasler also brings centres Brian Kelly (concussion) and JoJo Fifita (ankle) back from injury, allowing second-rower Beau Fermore and winger Phillip Sami to return to their natural positions.
Former Kangaroos and NSW Origin prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will start in the front row, with Jaimin Jolliffe gone for the rest of the season.
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Jaylan de Groot, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. JoJo Fifita, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Jayden Campbell, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Chris Randall, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa'assuamaleaui
Interchange: 14. Keano Kini, 15. Klese Haas, 16. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, 17. Josh Patston
Reserves: 18. Jacob Alick-Wiencke, 19. Tukimihia Simpkins, 20. Sean Mullany, 21. Tom Weaver, 22. Tony Francis
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