Ryan Hoffman, Sam Rapira, Konrad Hurrell and Dominique Peyroux have all been called into the Vodafone Warriors’ squad for Saturday night’s 23rd-round encounter with the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).
Hoffman is set for his first game since a calf injury forced him off the field only 22 minutes into the final State of Origin match in Brisbane on July 8.
The New South Wales back rower has missed the Vodafone Warriors’ last five games against Melbourne, the Sydney Roosters, Manly, Cronulla and St George Illawarra. His last game for the club was against Canberra on June 27.
He comes into the second row for his 260th career game alongside Raymond Faitala-Mariner while captain Simon Mannering moves back to loose forward.
With senior forward Ben Matulino suspended for three games, long-serving Sam Rapira has been named to start in the front row in what will be his fourth appearance this season and the 173rd of his career.
There are two changes in the starting backline with Dominique Peyroux named in the centres and Jonathan Wright moving to the left wing for the injured Manu Vatuvei (shoulder). It’s not yet known how long Vatuvei will be out.
After playing for the club’s New South Wales Cup side last week, centre Konrad Hurrell returns on the interchange alongside front rowers Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Charlie Gubb.
“It’s been a really tough period for us with injuries and our form,” said McFadden.
“This week we’ve lost Manu and we’re also without Ben through suspension on top of the other key players we’re already missing through injury.
“Fortunately we have Ryan back at last. We’ve obviously missed him while Sam also gives us plenty of experience.
“Dom has been working hard in the NSW Cup much of the season and he’ll provide plenty of energy while Konrad will give us impact from the bench.”
Peyroux will play his fifth NRL match of the year – he was 18th man last week – while Hurrell will make his 10th first-grade appearance of the season.
The Vodafone Warriors and Penrith both go into this week’s contest struggling for form. The Vodafone Warriors have lost their last four matches while the Panthers have had five defeats on end since beating South Sydney on July 3.
In 34 matches between the two sides, the Vodafone Warriors have won 15 and drawn one with the Panthers winning 18. Of the 17 games in Penrith, the Panthers have a 9-7 edge with one draw with the Vodafone Warriors last winning there in 2012.
NRL
VODAFONE WARRIORS v PENRITH PANTHERS
Pepper Stadium, Penrith
5.30pm, Saturday, August 15
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 SAM TOMKINS
2 KEN MAUMALO
3 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 JONATHAN WRIGHT
6 CHAD TOWNSEND
7 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
9 NATHAN FRIEND
10 SAM RAPIRA
11 RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
12 RYAN HOFFMAN
13 SIMON MANNERING (c)
Interchange:
14 KONRAD HURRELL
15 ALBERT VETE
16 SAM LISONE
17 CHARLIE GUBB
HEAD COACH | ANDREW McFADDEN
NSW CUP
VODAFONE WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
12.40pm, Saturday, August 15
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 VILIAMI KAVEINGA
2 MARATA NIUKORE
3 MATTHEW ALLWOOD
4 DAVID FUSITU’A
5 TOMAS AOAKE
6 ATA HINGANO
7 MASON LINO
8 UPU POCHING
9 SILIVA HAVILI
10 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
11 JOHN PALAVI
12 SIONE LOUSI
13 DAVID BHANA
Interchange:
14 ZAC TIPPENS
15 JAMES BELL
16 SIONE FEAO
17 TULSAN CAIRD
18 SAULA SOLOMONA
21 LEVI NORTON
COACH | STACEY JONES
NYC
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v PENRITH PANTHERS
Pepper Stadium, Penrith
3.15pm, Saturday, August 15
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS
1 BRAD ABBEY
2 LEVI MCBIRNEY
3 JUNIOR PAUGA
4 SEMISI TYRELL
5 PAUL ULBERG
6 MIKAERE BEATTIE
7 KAURI AUPOURI
8 BUNTY AFOA
9 ERIN CLARK
10 PAUL TULI
11 OFAHIKI OGDEN
12 MATIU LOVE-HENRY
13 JAZZ TEVAGA
Interchange:
14 TYLER MOHI
15 TUALIMA TUALIMA
16 AMONI TUFUI
17 JAMES MAFI
18 CASEY LAFAELE
COACH | KELVIN WRIGHT
BUY NOW | VODAFONE WARRIORS v NORTH QUEENSLAND
