Contrasting fortunes for veteran outside backs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck when the One New Zealand Warriors named their squad for their final Preseason Challenge clash against Melbourne at FMG Waikato Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm kick-off). The 212-game Hamilton-born winger Watene-Zelezniak (29) has been ruled out as he awaits surgery after breaking and dislocating his left wrist only eight minutes into in last Friday night’s trial against Cronulla Sutherland. But while he’s sidelined, 31-year-old Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (213 NRL games) returns on the wing after being ruled out last week due to a minor training injury. Centre Adam Pompey and halfback Tanah Boyd are both unavailable for the Hamilton trip with minor injuries while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, prop James Fisher-Harris and second rower Jacob Laban are with the Māori All Stars side for Saturday night’s match against the Indigenous All Stars in Sydney. With Nicoll-Klokstad missing, Taine Tuaupiki starts at fullback while 20-year-old Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has been named as Pompey’s replacement in the centres. Veteran Bunty Afoa starts in the front row along with Jackson Ford, who missed the trial against the Sharks. Kurt Capewell and the fast-emerging Demitric Vaimauga are paired in the second row with new signing Erin Clark again at loose forward. Standoff Chanel Harris-Tavita and second rower Leka Halasima are on the extended bench after being unavailable last week. |
