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Warriors coach Andrew McFadden says the team that started in the intersquad trial yesterday will be the same to face the Knights in their season-opening fixture in a fortnight.
That means Tuimoala Lolohea will play on the wing, Thomas Leuluai at hooker, Bodene Thompson will make his first appearance for the club in the back row and Solomone Kata will make his NRL debut in the much-debated left centre spot.
The Warriors were forced to play the intersquad game in Papakura because their trial against the Dragons in Nelson was cancelled, with Benji Marshall's side choosing to play in the World Club Challenge instead.
McFadden lined up his two teams as an NRL side against a NSW Cup team, with the NRL outfit winning 42-10. The scoreline was irrelevant as players swapped teams.
Standout players were Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Sam Tomkins and Konrad Hurrell, making his first appearance since the operation on his wrist last year. "In the week I was scratching my feet and wanting to jump on the field. I was so keen to get into it," Hurrell, who scored two tries and got a knock to his head, said.
There was never any doubt that Hurrell will be picked for play the Knights, but the other centre spot was the subject of much discussion.
David Fusitu'a and Ngani Laumape are both injured and Jonathan Wright is suspended for round one, but Matt Allwood and Dominique Peyroux would both have been eyeing up the jersey.
However, McFadden said Kata, who has played rugby for the Tongan under-21 team, has got the nod having impressed him at the Auckland Nines as well as the trial against the Panthers last weekend and yesterday's game.
"Solomone has earned a spot and that first crack at that centre spot at this stage and obviously there's a few out," McFadden said.
"But that's probably going to be the team for round one. We'll have a look at the video and see if there's anyone that's popped up, but it was a good hitout for us."
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The downside of yesterday's game was that it was hard to create the intensity of the NRL when players are being asked to smash into their friends.
"Sometimes they're reluctant to go in and hurt each other. We spoke about how it was important that we committed to this," McFadden said. "The players acknowledged that and did a terrific job in making sure we got something out of it."
- Sunday News
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league...hts-clash-says-warriors-coach-andrew-mcfadden
That means Tuimoala Lolohea will play on the wing, Thomas Leuluai at hooker, Bodene Thompson will make his first appearance for the club in the back row and Solomone Kata will make his NRL debut in the much-debated left centre spot.
The Warriors were forced to play the intersquad game in Papakura because their trial against the Dragons in Nelson was cancelled, with Benji Marshall's side choosing to play in the World Club Challenge instead.
McFadden lined up his two teams as an NRL side against a NSW Cup team, with the NRL outfit winning 42-10. The scoreline was irrelevant as players swapped teams.
Standout players were Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Sam Tomkins and Konrad Hurrell, making his first appearance since the operation on his wrist last year. "In the week I was scratching my feet and wanting to jump on the field. I was so keen to get into it," Hurrell, who scored two tries and got a knock to his head, said.
There was never any doubt that Hurrell will be picked for play the Knights, but the other centre spot was the subject of much discussion.
David Fusitu'a and Ngani Laumape are both injured and Jonathan Wright is suspended for round one, but Matt Allwood and Dominique Peyroux would both have been eyeing up the jersey.
However, McFadden said Kata, who has played rugby for the Tongan under-21 team, has got the nod having impressed him at the Auckland Nines as well as the trial against the Panthers last weekend and yesterday's game.
"Solomone has earned a spot and that first crack at that centre spot at this stage and obviously there's a few out," McFadden said.
"But that's probably going to be the team for round one. We'll have a look at the video and see if there's anyone that's popped up, but it was a good hitout for us."
Ad Feedback
The downside of yesterday's game was that it was hard to create the intensity of the NRL when players are being asked to smash into their friends.
"Sometimes they're reluctant to go in and hurt each other. We spoke about how it was important that we committed to this," McFadden said. "The players acknowledged that and did a terrific job in making sure we got something out of it."
- Sunday News
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league...hts-clash-says-warriors-coach-andrew-mcfadden
