Rugby League: Meet the Warriors new boys

HOMEGROWN

Shaun Metcalf

Born 20/8/97. A 178cm, 89kg centre/wing from Canterbury. Represented New Zealand at U-16 level in 2002.

In Warriors development squad for a year while playing with Auckland club Mangere East and will turn out for Counties-Manukau in Bartercard Cup this year. Played around 20 minutes of the final 2004 pre-season trial against Penrith.

Shannon Stowers

Born 21/3/1980. A 180cm, 115kg hooker who had 12 Bartercard Cup games for Hibiscus Coast Raiders last year. Nickname: "Fridge". Played about 30 minutes of trial against Penrith and wasn't disgraced.

Louis Anderson

Born 27/6/85. Younger brother of Vinnie, a lock from the East Coast Bays club who has spent one year in the Warriors development programme. Junior Kiwis captain last year. 185cm and 100kg.

Kane Ferris

Born 18/9/84. Prop from the Linwood club and Canterbury Bulls Bartercard team.

Junior Kiwi in 2002. Trialled for the club same year. Got a bashing in pre-season trial against Eels but stood up to it well.

Toshio Laiseni

Born 19/6/85 in Tonga. A 181cm, 94kg wing/centre/fullback from the Otahuhu club and the Eastern Tornadoes and Junior Kiwi in 2002/'03.

Three years in Warriors development programme and warmly regarded.

Epalahame Lauaki

Born 27/1/84 in Tonga. Educated in Auckland at Waitakere College and Kelston Boys High.

Noticed when he scored three tries for Glenora in curtainraiser to a Warriors game. Told he could be next Ali Lauiti'iti. Looks set to make NRL debut this year.

Marcus Perenara

Born 1/11/85. Younger brother of Warrior-turned-Dragon Henry. A 179cm, 98kg halfback/five-eighth from the New Lynn and Bay Roskill clubs and the Brothers Bartercard team. A skilled player, regaining fitness after year off with injury, but sure to press during the season. Showed good kicking skills in trial against Penrith.

Herewini Rangi

Born 14/5/84 in Hamilton. A 164cm, 95kg hooker from the Taniwharau club in Huntly that produced Lance Hohaia and Wairangi Koopu. Shifted to the Tornadoes in Bartercard Cup and made enough impact to earn a last-minute spot on the NZ Residents tour to Britain and France.

Manu Vatuvei

Born 4/3/86 in Auckland. A 189cm, 109kg wing - that's right, 109kg wing. A near-certain starter at some stage of the season.

EXPERIENCED

Tony Martin

Born 7/10/78 in Gladstone, Queensland. A 178cm, 92kg specialist centre who began his career with the Broncos, was sent to sister club the London Broncos for experience and was snatched by the then-new Melbourne Storm club.

Played in the 1999 grand final-winning side, then returned to the London Broncos in 2001/'02/'03. Has a goal-kicking success rate around 80 per cent.

Matt Jobson

Born 1/10/1980 in Maitland, NSW. A 185cm, 104kg prop who debuted for Newcastle mid-season 2001. Had 24 games there before signing two-year deal with Warriors. Regarded as a journeyman at Knights, where he was behind State of Origin props Matt Parsons and Josh Perry.

Danny Sullivan

Born 1/4/82 in Sydney. A 192cm, 108kg second rower enticed by coach Daniel Anderson from Parramatta, where the two met. Junior Kangaroo 2001, out all of 2002 and 2003 seasons with serious knee injury.

A skilled and aggressive player who will earn a spot in the 17 but injury doubts remain.

* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Warriors updates.

Warriors draw and results - 2004 NRL


Other NRL fixtures and points table