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Grieving Kata unavailable for Warriors

The sudden death of Solomone Kata's brother rules the Warriors centre out of the NRL match against the Bulldogs.

Warriors back Solomone Kata has flown to Tonga following the death of a family member, ruling him out of their home NRL match against the Bulldogs.

The club said Kata's brother had died suddenly and they had granted bereavement leave to the lively centre, prompting a shuffle to their back line for Friday's match in Auckland.

"Our hearts go out to Sol and his family at this time," coach Stephen Kearney said.

David Fusitu'a shifts in one place from the wing to replace Kata, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is recalled on the wing for his fifth first-grade appearance.

The other change is on the bench, with hooker Nathaniel Roache returning.

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Otherwise, the Warriors starting side is unchanged from who beat the Titans 34-12 on the Gold Coast two weeks ago.

Key five-eighth Kieran Foran is named despite having limped off late against the Titans, as the Warriors notched their first away win of the season.

Sam Lisone, Albert Vete and Bunty Afoa are again listed in jerseys 15-17 with James Gavet, Manu Vatuvei, Ligi Sao and Ata Hingano rounding out an extended bench.

The Warriors and Bulldogs are 11th and 12th, respectively, with a 6-8 win-loss record.

Both are coming off byes that followed relieving wins, with the Bulldogs having squeezed St George Illawarra 16-2.

Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (capt), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Blake Ayshford, David Fusitu'a, Ken Maumalo, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering. Interchange: Nathaniel Roache, Sam Lisone, Albert Vete, Bunty Afoa, James Gavet, Manu Vatuvei, Ligi Sao, Ata Hingano.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


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