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Home / New Zealand

League: The Warriors' centre of attention

By Peter Jessup
30 May, 2006 09:29 AM3 mins to read

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Wairangi Koopu is at centre again after his two-try effort against the Sharks. Mark Nolan / Getty Images

Wairangi Koopu is at centre again after his two-try effort against the Sharks. Mark Nolan / Getty Images

The Warriors have shifted second rower Wairangi Koopu to centre, where he played much of last weekend's game against the Sharks and from where he scored two tries, as they adjust for the loss of pace out wide.

Koopu shifted to the right side when wing Todd Byrne went off
with a broken radius in his right arm last Saturday, an injury that requires him to have a rod inserted and will keep him out for eight weeks.

Manu Vatuvei is still returning after a hamstring problem.

So centre Tony Martin steps out to the right wing and Misi Taulapapa, who appears to have what it takes in the NRL, crosses to the left outside Simon Mannering, who keeps Leeds-bound Clinton Toopi on the bench.

The Warriors have a seven-win, three-loss record against Brisbane since beating them for the first time in 2001.

"We'll have to find our best form to compete with them," said coach Ivan Cleary. "They come here leading the competition while we're still looking for consistency.

"After the win against Wests Tigers, we said we wanted greater consistency in our performances.

"We didn't get that at all against the Sharks so we're back where we started."

Brisbane have Casey McGuire back at hooker after three weeks out with a pectoral muscle and he pushes Ian Lacey to a six-man bench.

Justin Hodges is out for three to five weeks with a hamstring tear suffered during the 25-6 win over the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium last weekend. Otherwise, it is the team that won that match.

Also not considered for the Broncos were wing Scott Minto who has a pectoral tear, back rower Dane Carlaw (medial ligament) and hooker Michael Ennis, also a knee injury.

The Broncos will have a training session at Auckland Grammar School at 2.30pm on Saturday. Shayne Hayne is the referee.

* The Tamaki Leopards play the Counties-Manukau Jetz in the curtainraiser on Sunday, kicking off at 11.50am.

* Dragons captain Trent Barrett has pleaded guilty to a grade-five tackle charge and accepted a six-week ban for the forearm hit he put on the head of Newcastle's Great Britain international Brian Carney.

* The Souths Rabbitohs have signed fullback David Peachey after he was cut by Widnes.

* The NRL is looking at introducing a fine of up to A$5000 for players who talk to NRL or Super League clubs before the anti-tampering deadline on June 30.

That seems so small that English clubs would gladly pay it.

* Warriors v Broncos, Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm Sunday

Warriors

Brent Webb
Tony Martin
Wairangi Koopu
Simon Mannering
Misi Taulapapa
Jerome Ropati
Grant Rovelli
Ruben Wiki
Nathan Fien
Steve Price (c)
Awen Guttenbeil
Louis Anderson
Sione Faumuina

Reserves: George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Clinton Toopi, Micheal Luck.

Broncos

Karmichael Hunt
Tame Tupou
Shaun Berrigan
Brent Tate
Darius Boyd
D. Lockyer (c)
Shane Perry
Shane Webcke
Casey McGuire
P. Civoniceva
David Stagg
Corey Parker
Tonie Carroll

Reserves: (from) Brad Thorn, Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday, Ian Lacey, Brett Seymour, Greg Eastwood.

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