From warriors.co.nz
Former grand final winner Tony Martin will play his first match in almost a year when the Vodafone Warriors face Canberra in their first 2006 NRL trial at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.
The 27-year-old sat out almost the entire 2005 season after injuring his neck in the Vodafone Warriors’ second-round encounter with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
The ex-Melbourne Storm centre faced a lengthy rehabilitation after fusion surgery on a bulging disc in early June.
“Tony has done everything asked of him by our medical staff, trainers and coaches,†said Cleary.
“He has trained outstandingly over the summer and it’s great for him and for us that he’s now ready to play again.â€Â
Martin has also been entrusted with the goal-kicking duties this year after spending time being coached by former Kiwi Daryl Halligan. With Kiwi Brent Webb missing Sunday’s match with a groin problem, Martin will fill the fullback’s role against the Raiders but Cleary has him earmarked to return to his preferred position in the centres.
If the trial is a special occasion for Martin it will also be memorable for props George Tuakura and Sam Rapira as well as new Vodafone Warriors signings Micheal Luck and Grant Rovelli.
A 30, Tuakura is in the run-on side for his first Vodafone Warriors appearance after playing against them for a President’s XIII in the corresponding North Harbour Stadium trial last year.
Some 12 years his junior, 2005 Junior Kiwi captain Rapira (18) will come off the bench to make his first appearance for the club after being promoted from the Vodafone Warriors’ elite development programme.
With other propping options in Evarn Tuimavave and former Kangaroo Richard Villasanti, Cleary has left out first-choice props Steve Price and Ruben Wiki.
“Steve and Ruben are obviously going to be in the frontline side and they’ll be used in our next two trials (against the Cowboys and the Bulldogs in Australia),†said Cleary.
“But we have to have a decent look at the other props who are in the frame. It’s important those contenders all have an equal shot at showing us what they can do.â€Â
After three seasons of premier league football with the Roosters, Rovelli has come to the Vodafone Warriors intent on making his NRL debut. He’ll start from the bench on Sunday where he can provide options at halfback, hooker and standoff.
Back rower Luck, who played 76 times for the North Queensland Cowboys, will also make his first appearance for his new club as an interchange player.
Cleary’s first side as head coach features five players who were involved in the Kiwis’ Tri-Nations triumph – winger Manu Vatuvei, centre Clinton Toopi, hooker Lance Hohaia, second rower Awen Guttenbeil – just three games short of his 150th NRL appearance – and loose forward Louis Anderson.
It will be the first outing for the Vodafone Warriors’ new halves combination of halfback Nathan Fien and standoff Sione Faumuina.
Apart from Price, Wiki and Webb, four other players weren’t considered for this trial for injury reasons – Simon Mannering (shin), George Gatis (foot), Sonny Fai (shoulder) and Misi Taulapapa (foot).
Controlling Sunday’s match will be top-ranked Auckland referee Craig Pascoe.
Vodafone Warriors development coach Tony Iro also named a 25-man squad today to face a Harbour League selection in Sunday’s curtain-raiser (kick off 1.15pm).
The teams for Sunday are:
VODAFONE WARRIORS: Tony Martin; Todd Byrne, Jerome Ropati, Clinton Toopi, Manu Vatuvei; Sione Faumuina, Nathan Fien; George Tuakura, Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave; Wairangi Koopu, Awen Guttenbeil; Louis Anderson. Interchange: Grant Rovelli, Cooper Vuna, Micheal Luck, Epalahame Lauaki, Richard Villasanti, Sam Rapira.
DEVELOPMENT TEAM:
Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Ah Van, Andreas Bauer, Rowan Baxter, Jason Commisso, Marvin Filipo, Robinson Godfrey, Jody Henry, Roman Hifo, Scott Jones, Toleafoa Leaupepe, Wade McDade, Manu Mau, Tipene Message, Constantine Mika, Daniel O’Regan, Eddie Purcell, Artie Shead, Phil Shead, Dean Shepherd, Malo Solomona, Miguel Start, Nopoto Tuimaualuga, Chris Tupou, Antoine Tusani.
