No late line-up changes have been made for the Vodafone Warriors’ 19th-round NRL encounter with the Penrith Panthers at ‘Manu Vatuvei’ Stadium tonight.
The club was given dispensation to list departing legend Vatuvei in his familiar No 5 jersey but Ken Maumalo will be on the wing in #21.
The rest of the starting is as selected on Tuesday while those omitted from the extended bench are Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Chris Satae, Jazz Tevaga and Mason Lino.
Issac Luke starts at hooker with Solomone Kata back in the centres and Sam Lisone returning on the bench.
Among the festivities planned for Vatuvei’s farewell tonight, the Vodafone Warriors are giving out inflatable hands at the gates and in the membership clubrooms as a tribute to his signature try-scoring celebration.
Members are also being encouraged to check in at the membership clubrooms where a small number of limited edition Vatuvei posters will be available on a first in, first served basis.
Vatuvei’s team-mates, meanwhile, will have his name, Vodafone Warrior number and signature embroidered into their playing jerseys. They will warm up in special Canterbury tees with Vatuvei #115 on the back.
Before kick-off, Vatuvei will also walk onto the field he’s graced for more than a decade one last time.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v PENRITH PANTHERS
Manu Vatuvei Stadium, Auckland
8.00pm (NZT), Friday, July 14
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2 DAVID FUSITU’A
3 BLAKE AYSHFORD
4 SOLOMONE KATA
21 KEN MAUMALO
6 KIERAN FORAN
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
9 ISSAC LUKE
10 BEN MATULINO
11 BODENE THOMPSON
12 BUNTY AFOA
13 SIMON MANNERING
Interchange:
14 MAFOA’AEATA HINGANO
15 SAM LISONE
16 JAMES GAVET
17 LIGI SAO
HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY
