By PETER JESSUP
Mark Graham's response to the Warriors' lacklustre defeat at the hands of the Broncos is another new centre pairing, with Scott Pethybridge moving in to partner Ivan Cleary.
The Warriors midfield has been a mess since Dean Bell left after the first season, a defensive weak point deliberately targeted by opposition sides and lacking the attacking speed and guile to put wingers away on any regular basis.
For Newcastle on Saturday, Nigel Vagana goes to the left wing spot Pethybridge has held since the Canberra game in pre-season and the 22-year-old buy from Norths comes inside to a spot he has played before. Pethybridge has looked solid on the tackle, while Vagana has the dash to take advantage of a smoother delivery from inside.
The other significant change is the elevation of New Zealand under-19s captain and centre Paul Whatuira to the bench. The scholarship player has had a few minutes' game time in the premiership and came on against Canberra.
Matt Spence goes back to the starting line-up after being sent to Brisbane Souths and playing well last weekend, pushing Tony Tuimavave to the bench. Lee Oudenryn was not named in the 17 released yesterday. Two replacement players are still to be settled, but they are likely to be David Myles and Terry Hermansson.
Those likely to go to Brisbane this weekend are Oudenryn, Talite Liavaa, Ben Lythe and Shontayne Hape. The Warriors' agreement to send players to Newtown Jets in Sydney does not start for another two weeks.
Chief executive Trevor McKewen said the club would be appealing against the $A15,000 fines levied by the NRL after it accused him and Graham of bringing the game into disrepute when slagging referee Mark Oaten after the Tigers game. They will seek time to prepare a defence.
The New Zealand Rugby League, meanwhile, has approached the Tainui two-thirds owners asking to be kept informed of any movement to sell the tribal shareholding. Some Tainui believed the NZRL was buying in, but chairman Gerald Ryan said that was not and would not be the case.
The league simply wanted the Warriors to succeed, wanted the ownership situation tidied up and was prepared to help broker a deal or offer other assistance. The NZRL board meets on Friday and will discuss the issue.
Auckland Warriors: Cliff Beverley, Odell Manuel, Ivan Cleary, Scott Pethybridge, Nigel Vagana, John Simon (c), Robert Mears, Joe Vagana, Jason Death, Jerry Seuseu, Logan Swann, Matt Spence, Scott Coxon; interchange Paul Whatuira, Tony Tuimavave, Ali Lauitiiti, Mark Tookey, two replacements to be named.
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