The NZ Warriors injury crisis is growing after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's early departure from their final NRL trial against the Wests Tigers.
The classy fullback later described the problem as minor, but the club will still be sweating on knocks picked up prop Agnatius Paasi (ankle) and lock Lachlan Burr (neck), who also failed to see out the game.
The Warriors have already lost rookie, Jackson Frei, to a season-ending injury, while fellow prop Bunty Afoa is described as "unlikely" to feature in 2020 after tearing an ACL in training.
The Tigers ran out 20-6 victors in Rotorua with the hosts directionless for much of the second half without captain Tuivasa-Sheck, who was off the field to have his ankle injury iced.
Both teams were at close to full strength but the Tigers will come away with more positivity after shaking off some early handling errors.
Replacement hooker Josh Reynolds barrelled over from dummy-half near halftime to level the scores 6-6- before the visitors controlled the second spell on Sunday against the injury-hit Warriors.
It will have been a sweet moment for the 30-year-old former Blues Origin star, who was only cleared this week of domestic violence allegations after NSW police dropped charges against him.
Reynolds' try preceded a dominant second half for the Tigers, who crossed twice through winger David Nofoaluma and through a sharp chip and chase from Luke Brooks.
Nofoaluma's second try was set up by a sharp bust from centre Joey Leilua, the former Canberra ace at times showing what a fine acquisition he could be.
The Warriors' only try was a 20th-minute effort from winger Ken Maumalo, set up by Kodi Nikorima and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Leilua and Benji Marshall were sharpest among their backs while the Warriors will have been heartened by the strong return from injury of second-rower Tohu Harris, in his first game in nine months.
AAP / Newshub
