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Utility Grant Rovelli's first-grade breakthrough and the comeback of former grand final winner Tony Martin are the features of the Warriors' side for Sunday's season-opener against Melbourne.
Head coach Ivan Cleary announced his side at the Warriors' season-launching Captain's Lunch at Ericsson Stadium on Tuesday, making special mention of the Queensland pair.
"It's a great reward for Grant and Tony for entirely different reasons," said Cleary ahead of his first-grade coaching debut.
"Grant could easily have played NRL football sooner when he was with the Roosters. He really deserves this chance after what he has done throughout the off-season and in our three trials.
"And Tony has done an outstanding job working his way back to reclaim a first-grade spot after his neck surgery last year."
Rovelli (22) spent three seasons playing premier league football, leading the Roosters to grand final success in 2004 and again playing in the title decider last year.
Able to play hooker, halfback or standoff, he'll start the Storm match on the bench where he's set to be used to rest starting hooker Lance Hohaia.
Martin (27), who was in Melbourne's title-winning side in 1999, is on the right wing against Storm in what will be his first NRL outing since injuring his neck in the round two encounter with Brisbane last March.
After surgery in June and a lengthy rehabilitation, Martin began his playing return at fullback in the Warriors' first two 2006 trials against Canberra and North Queensland. In the final trial against the Bulldogs, he came off the bench to fill the right winger's berth, scoring a try and kicking four goals from four attempts - two from acute angles - in the 24-20 win at Carrara Stadium.
As expected Nathan Fien will make his first start for the Warriors at halfback after alternating between hooker and standoff in 22 matches last year. Fien's former North Queensland team-mate Micheal Luck will make his first appearance for his new club.
"While our form could have been better in the trials, we came through them well on the injury front, allowing us to go with our strongest possible line-up," said Cleary.
That also sees Sione Faumuina teamed with Fien in the halves and a highly-experienced starting forward pack that averages 143 first-grade matches per man.
Included on the bench are young forwards Epalahame Lauaki and Evarn Tuimavave, who were barely used in 2005, Lauaki only five times and Tuimavave just twice.
"They've both worked hard and have earned selection," said Cleary.
In the corresponding match at Ericsson last year, the Warriors beat the Storm 24-16 before losing 10-22 in the return match in Melbourne.
The match kicks off at Ericsson Stadium at 2pm on Sunday.
Warriors: 1. Brent Webb, 2. Tony Martin, 3. Jerome Ropati, 4. Clinton Toopi, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Sione Faumuina, 7. Nathan Fien, 8. Ruben Wiki, 9. Lance Hohaia, 10. Steve Price (capt), 11. Awen Guttenbiel, 12. Wairangi Koopu, 13. Louis Anderson. Bench: 14. Grant Rovelli, 17. Micheal Luck, 20. Epalahame Lauaki, 24. Evarn Tuimavave. 18th man Todd Byrne.
Head coach Ivan Cleary announced his side at the Warriors' season-launching Captain's Lunch at Ericsson Stadium on Tuesday, making special mention of the Queensland pair.
"It's a great reward for Grant and Tony for entirely different reasons," said Cleary ahead of his first-grade coaching debut.
"Grant could easily have played NRL football sooner when he was with the Roosters. He really deserves this chance after what he has done throughout the off-season and in our three trials.
"And Tony has done an outstanding job working his way back to reclaim a first-grade spot after his neck surgery last year."
Rovelli (22) spent three seasons playing premier league football, leading the Roosters to grand final success in 2004 and again playing in the title decider last year.
Able to play hooker, halfback or standoff, he'll start the Storm match on the bench where he's set to be used to rest starting hooker Lance Hohaia.
Martin (27), who was in Melbourne's title-winning side in 1999, is on the right wing against Storm in what will be his first NRL outing since injuring his neck in the round two encounter with Brisbane last March.
After surgery in June and a lengthy rehabilitation, Martin began his playing return at fullback in the Warriors' first two 2006 trials against Canberra and North Queensland. In the final trial against the Bulldogs, he came off the bench to fill the right winger's berth, scoring a try and kicking four goals from four attempts - two from acute angles - in the 24-20 win at Carrara Stadium.
As expected Nathan Fien will make his first start for the Warriors at halfback after alternating between hooker and standoff in 22 matches last year. Fien's former North Queensland team-mate Micheal Luck will make his first appearance for his new club.
"While our form could have been better in the trials, we came through them well on the injury front, allowing us to go with our strongest possible line-up," said Cleary.
That also sees Sione Faumuina teamed with Fien in the halves and a highly-experienced starting forward pack that averages 143 first-grade matches per man.
Included on the bench are young forwards Epalahame Lauaki and Evarn Tuimavave, who were barely used in 2005, Lauaki only five times and Tuimavave just twice.
"They've both worked hard and have earned selection," said Cleary.
In the corresponding match at Ericsson last year, the Warriors beat the Storm 24-16 before losing 10-22 in the return match in Melbourne.
The match kicks off at Ericsson Stadium at 2pm on Sunday.
Warriors: 1. Brent Webb, 2. Tony Martin, 3. Jerome Ropati, 4. Clinton Toopi, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Sione Faumuina, 7. Nathan Fien, 8. Ruben Wiki, 9. Lance Hohaia, 10. Steve Price (capt), 11. Awen Guttenbiel, 12. Wairangi Koopu, 13. Louis Anderson. Bench: 14. Grant Rovelli, 17. Micheal Luck, 20. Epalahame Lauaki, 24. Evarn Tuimavave. 18th man Todd Byrne.
