Hooker Nathaniel Roache returns from a four-match injury-enforced absence for the Vodafone Warriors’ sixth-round NRL clash against North Queensland at Mount Smart Stadium today (7.30pm kick-off).
After missing all of 2018 with a back injury, Roache had impressed in the club’s two trials and the 40-6 season-opening win over the Bulldogs, only to be side-lined with a calf complaint.
He has come through rehab successfully to claim a spot on the interchange tonight with the seasoned Issac Luke the starting dummy half.
With Blake Green ruled out last night, centre Peta Hiku again moves into the halves to play alongside rookie playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita; the pair were thrust together last week when Green was declared a non-starter minutes before the match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on the Sunshine Coast.
Hiku’s move again results in experienced Kiwi international coming into the centres.
The Vodafone Warriors’ bench is strong on mobility tonight with Roache joining livewire utility Jazz Tevaga along with middle forwards Bunty Afoa and Isaiah Papali’i. Afoa plays his 50th NRL match tonight.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
7.30pm, Saturday, April 20, 2019
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2 David Fusitu’a
21 Gerard Beale
4 Solomone Kata
5 Ken Maumalo
3 Peta Hiku
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
8 Agnatius Paasi
9 Issac Luke
10 Leeson Ah Mau
11 Adam Blair
12 Tohu Harris
13 Lachlan Burr
Interchange:
14 Jazz Tevaga
16 Bunty Afoa
17 Isaiah Papali’i
18 Nathaniel Roache
