Fullback Sam Tomkins has again been ruled out of making a return from injury for the Vodafone Warriors in their 14th-round NRL clash against the Sydney Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium tonight (8.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: Vodafone).
After aggravating his left knee injury in the last home clash against Newcastle on May 31, Tomkins was initially hoping to return against South Sydney last week.
That plan was thwarted and he was again given every chance of returning tonight but has been withdrawn.
Vodafone Warriors head of athletic performance Balin Cupples said every effort was being made to ensure Tomkins returned as soon as possible.
“It’s the nature of PCL injuries like the one Sam has,” he said.
“He came back against Newcastle but took another knock in that game. Ever since he has been doing everything possible to come back but the fact is he isn’t right yet. We don’t want to risk him if he isn’t 100 per cent.”
Tomkins’ absence means Tuimoala Lolohea, originally named on the bench, will now start at fullback once again with Jonathan Wright, selected as 18th man, coming onto the interchange.
The rest of the side is as selected with Albert Vete and Raymond Faitala-Mariner in the run-on forward pack for State of Origin representatives Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
8.00pm, Saturday, June 13
Referees: Gavin Badger and Gavin Reynolds
VODAFONE WARRIORS
14 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
2 KEN MAUMALO
3 KONRAD HURRELL
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 CHAD TOWNSEND
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 ALBERT VETE
9 NATHAN FRIEND
10 BEN MATULINO
11 BODENE THOMPSON
12 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
13 SIMON MANNERING (c)
Interchange:
15 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
16 SAM LISONE
17 CHARLIE GUBB
18 JONATHAN WRIGHT
HEAD COACH: ANDREW McFADDEN
