The One New Zealand Warriors have had to overhaul their lineup for Sunday’s Magic Round showdown with Penrith at Suncorp Stadium (2.50pm local time; 3.50pm NZT) due to new injuries to key players.
Halfback Shaun Johnson, centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rocco Berry, and Freddy Lussick are the latest to join an already crowded injury list that includes Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Chanel Harris-Tavita, and Luke Metcalf.
Johnson, the 2023 Player of the Year, sustained a minor pectoral muscle injury in last Sunday’s defeat to the Sydney Roosters. He is expected to miss the next two games but should return post the club’s round 13 bye.
Tuivasa-Sheck is sidelined until round 17 with a hamstring strain, Berry is out with a fractured hand but is likely to be back after the bye, and Lussick is following concussion protocols after a head injury on Sunday.
Head coach Andrew Webster has had to significantly adjust the lineup, now lacking nearly 900 combined NRL appearances. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will shift from fullback to standoff, and Te Maire Martin will take over as halfback.
Taine Tuaupiki will start at fullback for his ninth NRL game, his first since round three.
Adam Pompey will fill in for Tuivasa-Sheck in the centres, partnered with Ali Leiataua, who is making his second first-grade appearance.
Marcelo Montoya returns on the left wing, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak set to mark his 200th career game on the opposite wing.
The forward pack remains unchanged from last week, with Dylan Walker, Tom Ale, Jazz Tevaga, and rookie Jacob Laban named on the interchange bench.
