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The One NZ Warriors are coming off a 66-6 demolition at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans – but aside from the Achilles injury to Shaun Johnson, head coach Andrew Webster has named a relatively unchanged squad to face the Brisbane Broncos.
Johnson’s injury makes the star playmaker unavailable for the next four weeks. In his place, Te Maire Martin will look to step up in the No. 7 jersey in the fine form he displayed during the club’s recent three-game winning streak that started with a 22-20 thriller against Penrith, and ended with a 42-12 win over North Queensland.
In the Penrith game, Webster successfully tried Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the No. 6 jersey, but in later matches returned him to his preferred fullback position and started Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves alongside Martin.
This week, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns to the wing after serving his one-match suspension, plus New South Wales’ 18th man Mitchell Barnett is named to start in the second row, while Queensland interchange man Kurt Capewell is set to be on the Warriors interchange for Saturday. Freddy Lussick, Dylan Walker and Jazz Tevaga make up the rest of the bench.
Former Kiwis international Richie Blackmore joins the Running It Straight lads to delve into his own coaching experience and the pressures Webby is facing to turn things around.
On the list of 36 names publicly stated, 17 are from high profile Auckland schools including St Peter’s College, De La Salle, Sacred Heart and Saint Kentigern’s.
But the reach extends as far as Balclutha in the deep south, while a handful from Rotorua, Hamilton and Wellington are named.
Current New Zealand Warriors starting centre Rocco Berry, son of former All Black Marty Berry, is one of the success stories after attending St Pats Silverstream in Wellington. Tom Ale of Rotorua Boys High is another in the first grade squad.
