The versatile Karl Lawton will replace centre Peta Hiku – who injured his ribs in Saturday’s stirring win over St George Illawarra – when the Warriors travel to Campbelltown to take on unbeaten Penrith this Friday.
Lawton’s only previous NRL start at centre was ironically against the Warriors on first-grade debut for Gold Coast at Mt Smart Stadium in 2016 – a milestone soured by a broken leg. Best known as a dummy-half the 24-year-old’s utility value came to the fore last week when Hiku came off injured against the Dragons midway through the first half.
David Fusitu’a, who joined the squad in Australia late, shaped as a possible inclusion for Hiku this week but his return has been delayed.
The rest of the starting line-up remains unchanged but there’s two new faces on the bench courtesy of Lawton’s promotion and Agnatius Paasi’s suspension.
Roosters forward Poasa Faamausili, who linked with the Warriors last week on a short-term loan deal, is set to become Warrior #245, while unlucky Round 3 omission Josh Curran – another ex-Rooster – is set to play his third NRL game for the Warriors.
WARRIORS v PENRITH PANTHERS
8.00pm (NZT) Friday, June 5, 2020
Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Matt Cecchin
WARRIORS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2 PATRICK HERBERT
3 KARL LAWTON
4 GERARD BEALE
5 KEN MAUMALO
6 KODI NIKORIMA
7 BLAKE GREEN
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN
9 WAYDE EGAN
10 ADAM BLAIR
11 ELIESA KATOA
12 TOHU HARRIS
13 ISAIAH PAPALI’I
Interchange:
14 JACK MURCHIE
15 POASA FAAMAUSILI
16 KING VUNIYAYAWA
17 JOSH CURRAN
18 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA
20 HAYZE PERHAM
21 ADAM POMPEY
22 LEIVAHA PULU
HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY
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