Giant Vodafone Warriors forward Sam Lousi (pictured) makes his long-awaited return when he turns out for the Auckland Vulcans in their New South Wales Cup encounter with Manly at Mount Smart Stadium today (11.50am kick-off). Photo: Photosport.
Lousi featured in the Vodafone Warriors first two NRL trials against Gold Coast and Penrith in February but has been sidelined since with a foot injury.
He was initially named to make his comeback against Illawarra last weekend only to be ruled out for another week.
A towering presence throughout his NYC days with the Vodafone Junior Warriors, Lousi began his NRL career with two appearances for the Vodafone Warriors last year.
Hes one of three Vodafone Warriors named to return from injury for the Vulcans with Jerome Ropati (hamstring) and Carlos Tuimavave (neck) both selected in the centres.
A strong backline also includes vastly experienced NRL winger Bill Tupou and rookie Ngani Laumape.
In their third consecutive match at home, the Vulcans will today aim for their third straight win after beating Newcastle 28-24 two weeks ago and Illawarra 36-10 last Saturday. They started this round in seventh spot on the ladder with Manly last.
Included in the Manly line-up is former Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Ligi Sao.
AUCKLAND VULCANS v MANLY SEA EAGLES
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
11.50am, Sunday, June 09
Referee: Daniel Caddy
AUCKLAND VULCANS
1TANGI ROPATI
2BILL TUPOU
21JEROME ROPATI
4CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
3NGANI LAUMAPE
6STEVE WAETFORD
7HARRY SIEJKA
8CHARLIE GUBB
14PITA GODINET
10DANIEL PALAVI
11JOHN PALAVI
12SAM LOUSI
13MURRAY ITI
Interchange:
9ALEHANA MARA
15HERMAN RETZLAFF
16AGNATIUS PAASI
17NATHANIEL PETERU
HEAD COACH: WILLIE SWANN
Lousi featured in the Vodafone Warriors first two NRL trials against Gold Coast and Penrith in February but has been sidelined since with a foot injury.
He was initially named to make his comeback against Illawarra last weekend only to be ruled out for another week.
A towering presence throughout his NYC days with the Vodafone Junior Warriors, Lousi began his NRL career with two appearances for the Vodafone Warriors last year.
Hes one of three Vodafone Warriors named to return from injury for the Vulcans with Jerome Ropati (hamstring) and Carlos Tuimavave (neck) both selected in the centres.
A strong backline also includes vastly experienced NRL winger Bill Tupou and rookie Ngani Laumape.
In their third consecutive match at home, the Vulcans will today aim for their third straight win after beating Newcastle 28-24 two weeks ago and Illawarra 36-10 last Saturday. They started this round in seventh spot on the ladder with Manly last.
Included in the Manly line-up is former Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Ligi Sao.
AUCKLAND VULCANS v MANLY SEA EAGLES
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
11.50am, Sunday, June 09
Referee: Daniel Caddy
AUCKLAND VULCANS
1TANGI ROPATI
2BILL TUPOU
21JEROME ROPATI
4CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
3NGANI LAUMAPE
6STEVE WAETFORD
7HARRY SIEJKA
8CHARLIE GUBB
14PITA GODINET
10DANIEL PALAVI
11JOHN PALAVI
12SAM LOUSI
13MURRAY ITI
Interchange:
9ALEHANA MARA
15HERMAN RETZLAFF
16AGNATIUS PAASI
17NATHANIEL PETERU
HEAD COACH: WILLIE SWANN
