📰 Jackson Ford named in Mitch Barnett’s absence and Rocco Berry out of Warriors clash with Sharks

Jackson Ford will get the first crack at filling the shoes of Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett after the front-rower’s season-ending injury.

The 31-year-old New South Wales and Australia forward will play no part in the rest of 2025 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the Warriors’ victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs last weekend.

As a result, Ford returns to the front row, as part of a reshuffled forward pack for the clash with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on Saturday. The 27-year-old has proven to be adept at prop and on the edge but has primarily been used off the interchange this season.

Barnett’s absence also means James Fisher-Harris resumes solo captaincy of the Warriors, after being named in the leadership duo at the start of the year.

Elsewhere, Rocco Berry’s luckless run of injuries has continued with the centre having suffered a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old limped from the field in the win over the Rabbitohs and complained about feeling tightness in his hamstring.

Berry has battled hamstring issues since round four against the Wests Tigers, having only returned from a long-term shoulder injury suffered in June 2024.

As a result, Kurt Capewell returns to the centres from the second row, while Ali Leiataua has been named on the extended bench.

In Capewell’s place on the edge, Leka Halasima shifts from the interchange into the No 11 jersey, as Jacob Laban and Tanne Stowers-Smith return to the bench.

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Tom Ale, 20. Sam Healey, 21. Tanah Boyd, 22. Ali Leiataua, 23. Taine Tuaupiki

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.