Former Dally M winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will pull on the No.1 jersey for the NZ Warriors, as the Auckland NRL side are forced into another backline reshuffle to face Wests Tigers at Go Media Stadium on Friday.
Despite attempts to convert his crosscode star into a centre, coach Andrew Webster has had to do what he hoped to avoid, sending Tuivasa-Sheck back to fullback to cover injuries to first choice Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and Taine Tuaupiki (concussion).
The former Warriors captain began last week's loss to Canberra on the wing to cover injuries there, but slid to the back, when Tuaupiki was forced from the field early. When a knock to the knee sidelined centre Adam Pompey through the second half, Webster filled the midfield with second-rowers Kurt Capewell and rookie Leka Halasima.
Against the Tigers, he will start an inexperienced pairing of Ali Leiataua and Moala Graham-Taufa, who have played only four first-grade matches between them, with Ed Kosi summoned onto the wing.
By contrast, the Warriors pack and bench remains unchanged, with utility Dylan Walker again selected at lock for captain Tohu Harris, who is out for the season after wrist surgery.
The Warriors team to face the Tigers is:
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1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Ali Leiataua, 4-Moala Graham-Taufa, 5-Ed Kosi, 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Te Maire Martin, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Mitch Barnett, 11-Marata Niukore, 12-Kurt Capewell, 13-Dylan Walker.
Interchange: 14-Freddy Lussick, 15-Jackson Ford, 16-Jazz Tevaga, 17-Leka Halasima, 18-Tom Ale, 20-Bunty Afoa, 21-Demitric Sifakula, 22-Setu Tu, 23-Ben Farr.
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