Source: Radio New Zealand
Warriors reserves celebrate a try by halfback Luke Hanson against Parramatta Eels. David Neilson/Photosport
Four players yet to make first-grade debuts will start for NZ Warriors in their pre-season trial against Manly Sea Eagles at Napier on Saturday.
With seven of his roster away on Māori-Indigenous All Stars duty in Rotorua the same night, coach Andrew Webster has had to dig deep into his extended group to fill a 28-man gameday squad.
Among the backs, fullback Geronimo Doyle and half Luke Hanson both helped the Warriors reserves to NSW Cup and NRL Interstate glory last season, while winger Haizyn Mellars has joined the club from the South Sydney programme.
Englishman Morgan Gannon is another newcomer, taking his place in the second row, while Kayliss Fatialofa claims an interchange spot.
Webster has also named 11 reserves, who likely get a run in the latter stages.
“We’re going to put a strong side out,” he insisted. “We’re really proud that we have a lot of representation with the all-stars game.
“I think we’re the most supported in the NRL and, if you look at all those players, they’re all in contention for round one, so this gives a lot of people opportunities to step up and take their chance.”
Haizyn Mellars at Warriors training. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
“I hope we practice things – you have emphasis on different things in a pre-season and I hope we practice that this week, but at the same time, I hope we have that balance in our game, where you still have a hard edge and we still know what our identity looks like while we’re practicing.”
Missing with the Māori team are Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban and Adam Pompey, while newcomer Alofiana Khan-Pereira lines up for the Indigenous team on the wing.
Among other notables missing from action this week are co-captain Mitch Barnett and halfback Luke Metcalf (still nursing their season-ending knee injuries back to full fitness), fullback Taine Tuaupiki, centre Rocco Berry (who underwent two off-season shoulder surgeries), five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita and second-rower Marata Niukore.
Webster hinted he might have considered easing his veterans into the season, but the all-star absences forced his hand to bolster the line-up with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kurt Capewell.
“When all those fans buy their tickets and go to the game this weekend, they will be, like, ‘Wow, this is a strong team’, rather us only playing our young guys.”
The Warriors’ first line-up of the year is:
1. Geronimo Doyle, 2. Haizyn Mellars, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Demitric Vaimauga, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Morgan Gannon, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 17. Kayliss Fatialofa
Englishman Morgan Gannon will line up in the second row against Manly Sea Eagles. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Reserves: 18. Makai Tafua, 20. Motu Pasikala, 21. Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 24. Daeon Amituanai, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Paea Sikuvea, 27. Brandon Norris, 28. Harry Inch, 29. Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi
Meanwhile, the Manly line-up has more of an experimental appearance, with hooker Brandon Wakeham and second-rower Corey Waddell named co-captains, and teenagers Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large combining in the halves, where club legend Daly Cherry Evans will be missing for the first time since 2011.
After 352 games for the Sea Eagles, Cherry Evans, 36, has switched to Sydney Roosters for 2026.
The Manly line-up is:
1. Blake Metcalfe, 2. Blake Wilson, 3. Clayton Faulalo, 4. Josh Feledy, 5. Navren Willett, 6. Onitoni Large, 7. Joey Walsh, 8. Sione Laiafi, 9. Brandon Wakeham, 10. Paul Bryan, 11. Jackson-Levi Shereb-Schmidt, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Caleb Navale
Interchange: 14. Zaidas Muagututia, 15. Hugo Hart, 16. Viliami Fifita, 17. Kylan Mafoa
Reserves: 18. Tyler Melrose, 19. Andrew Johansson, 20. Benjamin Keene-O’Keefe
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
