NZ Warriors star Reece Walsh has been summoned back from the bench to start his first 'home' game against Melbourne Storm at Mt Smart Stadium.
After a rollercoaster ride that saw him confirm a shift back to Brisbane Broncos next season, then miss the Warriors' homecoming win over Wests Tigers with COVID-19, the dashing fullback was relegated to the reserves last week, entering the game too late to make a difference against Canberra Raiders.
But interim coach Stacey Jones has recalled his X-factor performer to fill the No.1 jersey against Melbourne, as he seeks his second win, since Nathan Brown was sacked last month.
Chanel Harris-Tavita, who filled the fullback spot against the Raiders, moves to five-eighth, while Edward Kosi is named on the wing, with Marcelo Montoya shifting positions to replace injured Jesse Arthars at centre.
The starting forward pack is unchanged, although second-rower Jack Murchie has remained in Australia on babywatch and Aaron Pene is against sidelined, after being replaced late by Eliesa Katoa last week.
Prop Jackson Frei has been named for his second first-grade game, after debuting against Canterbury Bulldogs last season.
Meanwhile, Melbourne have named a line-up stacked with Kiwis, featuring half Jahrome Hughes, and forwards Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse and Kenny Bromwich.
Warriors: 1-Reece Walsh, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Marcelo Montoya, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Edward Kosi, 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Tohu Harris (C), 11-Euan Aitken, 12-Josh Curran, 13-Jazz Tevaga
Extended Bench: 14-Freddy Lussick, 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Eliesa Katoa, 17-Jackson Frei, 18-Tom Ale, 20-Daejarn Asi, 21-Ronald Volkman, 22-Viliami Vailea, 23-Taniela Otukolo
Storm: 1-Nick Meaney, 2-Dean Ieremia, 3-Marion Seve, 4-Justin Olam, 5-Grant Anderson, 6-Cameron Munster, 7-Jahrome Munster, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Harry Grant, 10-Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11-Felise Kaufusi, 12-Kenny Bromwich, 13-Josh King
Extend Bench: 14-Tyran Wishart, 15-Tui Kamikamica, 16-Alec MacDonald, 17-Jordan Grant, 18-Chris Lewis, 19-Cooper Johns, 20-Young Tonumaipea, 21-Tom Eisenhuth, 22-Sualauvi Faalogo
Join us at 8pm Friday for live updates of the Warriors v Storm NRL clash
