General Big George added to the squad

[ozbash_old]

Vodafone Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary has named George Tuakura 18th man after being forced to leave interchange forward Epalahame Lauaki out of the side for tomorrow's NRL clash against the Knights in Newcastle.
A right shoulder injury kept Lauaki (22) in Auckland when the team left for Australia today. He was originally named on a five-man bench for the encounter with the Knights.
His omission sees Sione Faumuina confirmed to start from the bench tomorrow in his return from a two-match suspension.
It also opens the way for 30-year-old Tuakura to move a step closer to making his first-grade debut. He's the third player yet to make an NRL appearance to fill the 18th man role this year after Sam Rapira travelled to Hamilton for the Parramatta match and Patrick Ah Van was in Christchurch for the Wests Tigers clash last week.
"We don't know enough about Hame's injury yet," said Cleary.
"It's in the shoulder and pectoral area but it's still being assessed. All we know is he can't play this week."
Lauaki has come off the bench in all three matches so far this season.
The Vodafone Warriors trained at Ericsson Stadium this morning before flying to Sydney.

 

[warriors4life_old]

I'd love to see one of these new players in the 17, rather than 18th man every week.

 

[Wiki_old]

A shame for Hame, although maybe he wouldn't have got a run anyway with Sione getting picked to come off the bench.

Really looked forward to seeing Hame again and for him to prove himself.

George will probably not get a run but it kind of goes to show our depth in the squad.

 

[jahc_old]

(EDIT: removed big unneccesary quote)

No offence, but both our starting props are over 30. Price is the Aussies best, and Wiki is the Kiwis best, but if we're going to blood new players, we need young blood for when Wiki and Price retire! It's good that Tuimavave is looking promising. Now we just need 1-2 more of that calibre. We've got 2 years to do it! Man we're going to miss Paleasena.. damn those UK club cheque books!!

 

[edguy_old]

i agree jahc .....blood sam rapira .....18 year old front rower =the future