NRL: NZ Warriors lose Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for Dolphins clash due to illness

The New Zealand Warriors have been hit with another unfortunate injury, losing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad just hours before Sunday night's Indigenous Round clash against the Dolphins in Auckland.  

Originally named to play at five-eighth after his impressive showing in the position against Penrith Panthers, Nicoll-Klokstad was moved to centre when Andrew Webster's side lost centre Rocco Berry due to a hand injury.   

However, Nicoll-Klokstad has now been withdrawn due to illness, handing an NRL debut to youngster Moala Graham-Taufa.  

The 22-year-old Marist Saints junior has scored 14 tries in 33 appearances for the Warriors' New South Wales Cup squad, including five in nine games in 2024 while averaging 152 metres. 

Graham-Taufa junior came through the Sydney Roosters' system making his NRL debut against South Sydney in 2021, his only appearance until now, when he was briefly used as 18th man.  

Elsewhere, front row partner Bunty Afoa has switched sides to replace Addin Fonua-Blake, who has been stood down for breaching club standards in last week's win over the Penrith Panthers. 

The Warriors are already without stars Shaun Johnson and Rodger Tuivasa-Sheck as well as captain Tohu Harris.  

Warriors: 1-Taine Tuaupiki, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 23- Moala Graham-Taufa., 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 20-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Te Maire Martin, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Freddy Lussick, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Mitch Barnett, 13-Dylan Walker  

Interchange: 14-Tom Ale, 15-Jazz Tevaga, 16-Jacob Laban, 17-Marata Niukore, 18-Paul Roche, 21-Zyon Maiu'u, 22-Ed Kosi  

Join Newshub at 6pm Sunday for live updates of the Warriors v Dolphins NRL clash

The New Zealand Warriors have been hit with another unfortunate injury, losing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad just hours before Sunday night's Indigenous Round clash against the Dolphins in Auckland.  

Originally named to play at five-eighth after his impressive showing in the position against Penrith Panthers, Nicoll-Klokstad was moved to centre when Andrew Webster's side lost centre Rocco Berry due to a hand injury.   

However, Nicoll-Klokstad has now been withdrawn due to illness, handing an NRL debut to youngster Moala Graham-Taufa.  

The 22-year-old Marist Saints junior has scored 14 tries in 33 appearances for the Warriors' New South Wales Cup squad, including five in nine games in 2024 while averaging 152 metres. 

Graham-Taufa junior came through the Sydney Roosters' system making his NRL debut against South Sydney in 2021, his only appearance until now, when he was briefly used as 18th man.  

Elsewhere, front row partner Bunty Afoa has switched sides to replace Addin Fonua-Blake, who has been stood down for breaching club standards in last week's win over the Penrith Panthers. 

The Warriors are already without stars Shaun Johnson and Rodger Tuivasa-Sheck as well as captain Tohu Harris.  

Warriors: 1-Taine Tuaupiki, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 23- Moala Graham-Taufa., 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 20-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Te Maire Martin, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Freddy Lussick, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Mitch Barnett, 13-Dylan Walker  

Interchange: 14-Tom Ale, 15-Jazz Tevaga, 16-Jacob Laban, 17-Marata Niukore, 18-Paul Roche, 21-Zyon Maiu'u, 22-Ed Kosi  

Join Newshub at 6pm Sunday for live updates of the Warriors v Dolphins NRL clash

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