NZ Warriors utility Kodi Nikorima has been ruled out of Monday's Anzac Day clash against Melbourne Storm after returning a positive COVID-19 test.
Nikorima, 28, was originally named to wear the No.14 jersey for the Warriors' annual clash against the Storm, but will instead miss Monday night's match after the club confirmed he'd returned a positive test.
In his place, 19-year-old hooker Taniela Otukolo comes onto the interchange bench in Nikorima's place, joining forwards Bunty Afoa, Aaron Pene and Eliesa Katoa.
The starting XIII originally named last Tuesday remains the same, with no changes made to the run-on side.
Meanwhile, utility forward Jazz Tevaga and centre Rocco Berry make up the two reserve players, as centre Viliami Vailea, winger Junior Ratuva and front rowers Valingi Kepu and Garrett Smith drop out of the matchday squad altogether.
The Warriors are looking to snap an 11-game losing streak when they face the Storm at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Monday.
The Kiwi side hasn't beaten the Storm since 2015 and has lost the last five Anzac Day encounters.
The Warriors are currently ninth on the NRL ladder after six matches played to start 2022, with a win on Monday to lift the Kiwi side back into the top eight.
Should the Warriors defeat the Storm by an unlikely margin of more than 54 points, the Kiwi side will rise to fifth on the ladder, provided Sydney Roosters lose to St George Illawarra Dragons in Monday's early game.
NZ Warriors: 1-Reece Walsh, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Jesse Arthars, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Edward Kosi, 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake (c), 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Matt Lodge, 11-Euan Aitken, 12-Bayley Sironen, 13-Josh Curran
Interchange: 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Aaron Pene, 17-Eliesa Katoa, 18-Taniela Otukolo
Join Newshub for live updates of the NZ Warriors v Melbourne Storm Anzac Day clash from 9pm Monday.
