Simon Mannering will captain the Vodafone Warriors in his 250th career appearance with regular skipper Ryan Hoffman struck down by a virus and ruled out of today’s 17th-round NRL clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Mount Smart Stadium (5.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: TNT).
With Hoffman unable to play for the first time this season, the 29-year-old Mannering switches to the second row with Charlie Gubb off the bench to start at loose forward.
Brought onto the interchange is 19-year-old Bunty Afoa, set to make his debut as Vodafone Warrior #213.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v GOLD TITANS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
5.00pm, Saturday, July 2
Referees: Matt Cecchin and Chris James
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 DAVID FUSITU’A
2 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
3 BLAKE AYSHFORD
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 KEN MAUMALO
6 THOMAS LEULUAI
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
9 ISSAC LUKE
10 ALBERT VETE
11 BODENE THOMPSON
13 SIMON MANNERING (c)
17 CHARLIE GUBB
Interchange:
14 NATHANIEL ROACHE
15 SAM LISONE
16 BEN MATULINO
24 BUNTY AFOA
HEAD COACH | ANDREW McFADDEN
