Jacob Lillyman's Queensland call-up and the injury to winger Manu Vatuvei has forced two changes to the Warriors' NRL side to face the Sydney Roosters in Auckland.
Front-rower Lillyman has been drafted into the Maroons squad for State of Origin II as replacement for the injured Nate Myles.
Rookie Toafofoa Sipley, whose one NRL match came earlier this season, has been added to the bench while Ben Matulino has been named to fill Lillyman's spot in the starting 13 on Sunday.
Vatuvei picked up a hamstring strain early in the second half of the Warriors' 50-14 win over Newcastle on Saturday and is expected to be out for their next three matches.
His unavailability means Ken Maumalo, who played eight first-grade games in his debut season last year, will make his first NRL appearance of 2016.
The Warriors' win over the Knights put them within points differential of the top eight, while the second-bottom Roosters are coming off a 46-0 drubbing by Melbourne.
Warriors: Tuimoala Lolohea, David Fusitu'a, Blake Ayshford, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Albert Vete, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman (capt), Simon Mannering. Res: Nathaniel Roache, Sam Lisone, Toafofoa Sipley, Charlie Gubb.
Share
