James Fisher-Harris is sidelined by a calf injury against the Dolphins. Photo: www.photosport.nz
The NZ Warriors will face the Dolphins in a pivotal NRL encounter without the services of captain James Fisher-Harris, hooker Wayde Egan and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita on Friday.
Coach Andrew Webster has promoted Demitric Vaimauga into the starting row to replace Fisher-Harris, who is expected to miss two weeks with a calf injury. In his absence, veteran Kurt Capewell will lead the team.
Egan is under concussion protocols, after leaving the field in the first half against Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, and back-up Sam Healey will make his second appearance for the club, after crossing the Tasman from Cronulla his season.
Harris-Tavita is also nursing a calf niggle and will concede his No.6 jersey to experienced utility Te Maire Martin.
While Fisher-Harris and Egan have previously missed games this season, Harris-Tavita was one of the few remaining that have played all 18 games so far. That list now consists of Vaimauga, second-rowers Marata Niukore and Leka Halasima, lock Erin Clark and centre Adam Pompey.
Despite their shock defeat to bottom-placed Gold Coast - and last-gasp win over Newcastle Knights six days earlier - Webster has resisted any temptation to make changes on form and retained specialist second-rower Capewell in the centres, where options are short.
With the playoffs looming, the Warriors sit fourth on the NRL table, but are losing ground to those behind them. Four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers are just three points adrift, while the Dolphins are eighth, six points behind.
Meanwhile, former Warriors half Kodi Nikorima returns from a hamstring injury for the Dolphins, along with veteran forward Felise Kaufusi.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Demitric Vaimauga, 9. Sam Healey, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Taine Tuaupiki, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Freddy Lussick, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Bunty Afoa, 21, Ed Kosi, 22. Kalani Going, 23. Makaia Tafua
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Max Feagai, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jake Averillo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Kurt Donoghue
Interchange: 14. Ray Stone, 15. Aublix Tawha, 16. Mark Nicholls, 17. Josh Kerr
Reserves: 18. Harrison Graham, 19. Peter Hola, 20. LJ Nonu, 21. Kenny Bromwich, 22 Tevita Naufahu
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