James Fisher-Harris suffered a pec injury against Melbourne Storm. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Warriors v Dolphins
Kickoff 5pm Saturday, 17 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris has been named in the NZ Warriors starting line-up to face the Dolphins in Brisbane on Saturday, while superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has a chance to return via the reserves.
Front-rower Fisher-Harris is the only change to the team that ran out against St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend, replacing Bunty Afoa, who later left the field with a knee injury.
The NZ Kiwis skipper suffered a pec (chest) strain against Melbourne Storm a month ago and coach Andrew Webster confirmed he would be given until kickoff to prove his fitness for a return.
Tuivasa-Sheck tweaked his hamstring against Sydney Roosters eight weeks ago and was also named on the extended bench last week, but ultimately missed the gameday cut.
"He was close last week, he's a lot closer this week," Webster said.
Just where Tuivasa-Sheck would fit becomes the biggest question. For now, second-rower Kurt Capewell has been retained at centre, where the former All Blacks midfielder spent last season, before reverting back to the wing, but Webster wasn't prepared to elaborate on his intentions.
Another option could see winger Taine Tuaupiki move to fullback, making way for Tuivasa-Sheck, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad slotting into centre, where he has played for the national team. Capewell could revert to his natural position, with Marata Niukore filling Jackson Ford's middle role.
Ford is the other to miss selection this week, after failing a concussion check early in the second half against the Dragons.
Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has stuck with the same unit that beat Parramatta Eels last week, with Ray Stone and Tom Gilbert swapping jerseys in the pack.
Former Warriors Kodi Nikorima will line up at five-eighth for the home side.
Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Taine Tuaupiki, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Sam Healey
Reserves: 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23 Moala Graham-Taufa
Dolphins: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jake Averillo, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Jack Bostock, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Francis Molo, 9 Kurt Donoghoe, 10 Felise Kaufusi, 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 12 Tom Gilbert, 13 Ray Stone
Interchange: 14 Harrison Graham, 15 Mark Nicholls, 16 Josh Kerr, 17 Connelly Lemuelu
Reserves: 18 Sean O'Sullivan, 19 Oryn Keeley, 20 Max Feagai, 21 Kenny Bromwich, 22 Junior Tupou
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