Konrad Hurrell has been confirmed to start in the centres replacing Ngani Laumape for the Vodafone Warriors’ fifth-round NRL clash against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park today (5.00pm kick-off local time; 7.00pm NZT).
Laumape was initially named to make his first NRL appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury he suffered in February.
After returning with the club’s New South Wales Cup side last week, Laumape trained with the NRL line-up throughout the week but had some soreness after Friday’s training session so it was decided not to take him.
Hurrell injured his left knee in a heavy fall in the first-round match against Newcastle and was being set for a return next week.
However, he trained well this week and travelled to Melbourne as cover for Laumape. He’ll now line-up in his customary position on the right edge for his 58th career appearance.
Also coming into the final 17 is utility Dominique Peyroux, who has been playing in the centres for the club’s NSW Cup side. He replaces Albert Vete.
The final interchange comprises Peyroux, Nathan Friend, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Sam Lisone.
MELBOURNE STORM v VODAFONE WARRIORS
AAMI Park, Melbourne
5.00pm, Monday, April 06
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
2 JONATHAN WRIGHT
22 KONRAD HURRELL
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 CHAD TOWNSEND
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
9 THOMAS LEULUAI
10 BEN MATULINO
11 BODENE THOMPSON
12 RYAN HOFFMAN
13 SIMON MANNERING (c)
Interchange:
14 NATHAN FRIEND
15 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
16 SAM LISONE
21 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
HEAD COACH: ANDREW McFADDEN
