David Fusitu’a and fellow Kiwi international Solomone Kata have been teamed up in the centres for the Vodafone Warriors’ first NRL trial against Melbourne at Sunshine Coast Stadium tonight (8.00pm kick-off NZT).
New head coach Stephen Kearney has also named Tuimoala Lolohea to start on the right wing with Mason Lino paired in the halves with Shaun Johnson.
Jazz Tevaga is confirmed to start at hooker with Albert Vete and Charlie the starting props. Isaiah Papalii (18), impressive at the Downer NRL Auckland Nines, has been selected at loose forward.
The match marks the first match in charge for Kearney and also Tuivasa-Sheck’s first outing as captain in his return from knee surgery.
The match is being streamed live tonight. Watch it on www.warriors.kiwi
VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana Waters
8.00pm, Saturday, February 11, 2017
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
3 DAVID FUSITUA
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 KEN MAUMALO
17 MASON LINO
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
20 CHARLIE GUBB
18 JAZZ TEVAGA
32 ALBERT VETE
14 BUNTY AFOA
12 RYAN HOFFMAN
16 ISAIAH PAPALII
Interchange:
21 ATA HINGANO
15 TOAFOFOA SIPLEY
22 OFAHIKI OGDEN
6 ERIN CLARK
23 PAT SIPLEY
28 JUNIOR PAUGA
25 MATTHEW ALLWOOD
26 LEWIS SOOSEMEA
34 JAMES BELL
11 BLAKE AYSHFORD
HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY
