NZ Warriors coach Stacey Jones has handed rookie half Ronald Volkman a baptism of fire, naming him for his first-grade debut against NRL champions Penrith Panthers on Saturday.
Volkman, who transferred from Sydney Roosters mid-season, replaces Chanel Harris-Tavita in the No.6 jersey - outside veteran Shaun Johnson - in one of four changes to the starting side that faced Cronulla Sharks last week.
Highly touted from his time in the Roosters junior ranks, the teenager has been compared to last season's star acquisition, Reece Walsh, who quickly established himself in the Warriors starting line-up and earned a State of Origin call-up for Queensland.
After taking over the team from departing coach Nathan Brown last Tuesday and having to name a gameday squad within hours, club legend Jones has had the luxury of several days to consider his options, since his team delivered an insipid 38-16 defeat to the Sharks on debut.
Volkman for Harris-Tavita seems a straight swap on form, while Jesse Arthars returns at centre for Rocco Berry, but at least two of the changes have been forced by injury, with Josh Curran replacing Euan Aitken and Bunty Afoa in for Ben Murdoch-Masila.
The other notable inclusion is powerhouse front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake, who has missed three games with a foot injury, but sneaks onto the extended bench, pending fitness tests this week.
Volkman has already singed a three-year contract with the Warriors and has starred for Redcliffe Dolphins in Queensland Cup, helping them to consecutive victories over Ipswich Jets and Mackay Cutters.
Hooker Wayde Egan will play his 50th game for the Warriors against his old Panthers outfit.
Warriors: 1-Reece Walsh, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Jesse Arthars, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Ronald Volkman, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Bunty Afoa, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Jazz Tevaga, 11-Jack Murchie, 12-Tohu Harris (C), 13-Josh Curran
Extended Bench: 14-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 15-Aaron Pene, 16-Dunamis Lui, 17-Bayley Sironen, 18-Freddy Lussick, 20-Eliesa Katoa, 21-Rocco Berry, 22-Daejarn Asi, 23-Addin Fonua-Blake
Join us at 7:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Panthers NRL clash
