Captain Shaun Johnson and Tuimoala Lolohea will team up in the halves for the Vodafone Warriors' opening match against Gold Coast at the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park today (2.45pm kick-off).
Lolohea comes into the playmaking role with Sam Tomkins out of action today after being struck down by a virus (Tomkins is expected to recover to play tomorrow).
New signing Bodene Thompson will start while Ryan Hoffman is on the five-man interchange.
Team | Manu Vatuvei, Ben Henry, Ngani Laumape, Shaun Johnson, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Bodene Thompson, Ben Matulino. Interchange: Ryan Hoffman, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Suaia Matagi, Chad Townsend.
Not selected | Nathaniel Roache, Sam Lisone, Matt Allwood.
Unavailable | Sam Tomkins.
