NZ Warriors will be without Reece Walsh for this weekend's Mt Smart Stadium homecoming, after testing positive for COVID-19.
Walsh, 19, had been named to start at fullback when the Warriors face Wests Tigers on Sunday, but returned a positive COVID test on Friday.
The club has confirmed Walsh will sit out of Sunday's encounter in accordance with the NRL's Apollo protocols, and will be back in training when the Warriors return to Redcliffe.
After facing the Tigers, the Warriors have a bye in round 17, which could see Walsh return for the club's round 18 clash against Parramatta Eels in Sydney on Friday July 15.
Walsh's absence should force a re-shuffle, with either half Chanel Harris-Tavita or winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in contention to take the No.1 jersey in the teen sensation's absence.
Sunday's clash will be the Warriors' first at Mt Smart Stadium in 1038 days, having not played at home since the end of the 2019 season.
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