NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has named returning stars Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita in his first team of the 2024 NRL campaign.
As the Auckland-based club prepares to go one better than its preliminary final appearance last season, it officially welcomes back two former mainstays who missed the breakthrough performance.
Former skipper Tuivasa-Sheck will wear the unfamiliar No.4 jersey, as he lines up in the centres, after playing mainly fullback during his previous stint with the Warriors, before switching to rugby union.
Back from a yearlong hiatus, Harris-Tavita will fill the five-eighth position, as he competes for a halves spot outside veteran Shaun Johnson.
Last year's Dally M Medal runner-up is one of several regulars missing from the pre-season hitout against Wests Tigers at Christchurch on Sunday.
After missing the tailend of last season's playoff run with injury, Luke Metcalf has been named at halfback, while wing Marcelo Montoya will captain the side.
Prop Bunty Afoa and second-rower Jackson Ford are the only other frontline players available, with many of the club's promising reserve-graders filling out the extended 26-man squad.
Warriors: 1-Taine Tuaupiki, 2-Setu Tu, 3-Ali Leiataua, 4-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Chenal Harris-Tavita, 7-Luke Metcalf, 8-Bunty Afoa, 9-Freddy Lussick, 10-Tom Ale, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Jacob Laban, 13-Kalani Going
Extended bench: 14-Eddie Ieremia, 15-Zyon Maiu'u, 16-Tanner Stowers-Smith, 17-Leka Halasima, 18-Patrick Moimoi, 20-Etuate Fukofuka, 21-Toni Tupouniua, 22-Ben Farr, 23-Luke Hanson, 24-Moala Graham-Taufa, 25-Geronimo Doyle, 26-Quinlan Tupou, 27-Paulie Roache
