The NSW Cup Warriors side face the Bulldogs this week with both teams coming off a win which will make this an interesting contest. The Bulldogs have a big pack of forwards, but the Warriors have a forward pack that Warriors fans will know like the back of their hand. Suaia Matagi has been dropped to reserve grade and partners Sebastine Ikahihifo as the props, while Charlie Gubb and Raymond Faitala-Mariner bolster the forward stocks as they're returning from injury.

Another lad who is returning from injury is Saliva Havili who has been a promising dummy half option for a few years but thanks to injury and his pathway being blocked, he's stuttered a bit. Zac Tippins has to make way for Havili which is a bummer as Tippins was lively out of dummy half against the Knights. Who knows, coach Stacey Jones might try slip him into the side late as he's been named as 18th man. At least there's some competition there.

The spine of the reserve grade side is pretty strong with Viliam Kaveinga a stand out at fullback last week. Sam Cook and Api Pewhairangi also looked pretty good, along with Tippins but the bonus for the NSW Cup side is that Cook and Pewhairangi probably won't get much of a look in at NRL footy this season which will allow them to build a combination in reserve grade and they'll be exciting to watch.

Just on Cook, for me, he's the solid halfback type of player who I'd be looking to partner Shaun Johnson with. Cook's got plenty of work to do, but if he can continue to impress and if Chad Townsend can't quite kick on, then I'd be looking to slightly ease Johnson's duties with Cook doing the dirty work.

Who knows what the NRL side will dish up against Canberra (I'm slightly worried as Canberra look low key kind of good), but it's hard to look at this NSW Cup side and not smile. There's plenty of depth at the club and the reserve grade squad make up has come a long way in a few years. 

Mathew Allwood played at centre last week but he's joined the first grade squad as 18th man. The NRL side has named Tui Lolohea at centre and Jono Wright on the wing and I'd like to see either Wright or Allwood get a run at centre soon as they're both solid footy players.

1 VILIAMI KAVEINGA

2 SAULA SOLOMONA

3 JARROD TUA

4 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX

5 WILLIE PEACE

6 API PEWHAIRANGI

7 SAM COOK

8 SUAIA MATAGI

9 SILIVA HAVILI

10 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO

11 DAVID BHANA

12 SIONE LOUSI

13 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER

Interchange:

14 JOHN PALAVI (c)

15 UPU POCHING

16 CHARLIE GUBB

17 NATHANIEL PETERU

18 ZAC TIPPINS

21 STEDMAN LEFAU

The Under 20's are coming off a bad loss to the Newcastle Knights last week where they were in the contest at half time with the scores locked at 16-16, before the Knights pulled away at the end to win 41-16.  Halves Erin Clark and Ata Hingano will continue to build their combination and this will take some time as they, Clark especially, get used to the Under 20's level but there's plenty of promise there.

Brad Abbey is not only one of the most talented players in the side but also one of the more experienced lads having played plenty last season and he needs to get as much ball as possible. Nathaniel Roache was impressive once again, but he'll get some support from Sheldon Pitama who will come off the bench and played a few games for the Melbourne Storm's Under 20's side last year.

It'll be interesting to see how the Under 20's handle the trip to Canberra as this group is largely inexperienced at this level. The key, as always will be the big boys up front which won't be easy with Toafofoa Sipley named but not expected to play after being injured against the Knights so look to the likes of Bunty Afoa to step up along with Wesley Tauti

1   BRAD ABBEY

2   TOMAS AOAKE

3    MARATA NIUKORE

4   SEMISI TYRELL

5   PAUL ULBERG

6  ATA HINGANO

7    ERIN CLARK

8   BUNTY AFOA

9    NATHANIEL ROACHE (c)

10   TOAFOFOA SIPLEY

11  OFAHIKI OGDEN

12    MATIU LOVE-HENRY

13     JAZZ TEVAGA

Interchange:

14   SHELDON PITAMA

15    AMONI TUFUI

16    WESLEY TAUTI

17   ISAIAH COOPER-TETEVANO

18  JOSEPH PRICE

20    ROMAN TUHIMATA