The NZ Warriors have made wholesale changes for their first game of the revised 2020 NRL competition against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday.
In the centres, Kiwis international Gerard Beale returns from knee injury, while outside backs Patrick Herbert and Peta Hiku also rejoin the starting side, after missing the second-round clash against Canberra in March on compassionate grounds.
Beale, Hiku and Herbert replace Adam Pompey, injured Adam Keighran and centre David Fusitu’a, who has been in quarantine since arriving late in Australia, due to personal reasons.
Kodi Nikorima has been named to start in the halves, alongside halfback Blake Green, with Chanel Harris-Tavita named to the bench.
Rookie Jamayne Taunoa-Brown starts at prop, alongside Lachlan Burr, while second rower Isaiah Papali'i will partner Tohu Harris in the second row.
Newcomer Wayde Egan retains the No.9 jersey, with Karl Lawton providing back-up from the bench.
Also on the extended bench are fit-again prop Agnatius Paasi, King Vuniyayawa, rookie Eliesa Katoa, Harris-Tavita, Josh Curran, Pompey and new signing Jack Murchie, who joined the team from the Raiders in Terrigal last week.
The injury-plagued Warriors will be hunting for their first win of 2020, losing to Newcastle Knights and the Canberra Raiders, before the COVID-19 enforced season suspension in March.
Referee Chris Sutton will control the match at a crowd-less Central Coast Stadium at Gosford.
