Rugby League: Warriors name young team for trial match

New Zealand Warriors coach Daniel Anderson has named a squad with an average age of just 19 for their National Rugby League (NRL) warmup match against St George-Illawarra in Hamilton on Thursday night.

"The team is a combination of Warriors of the future guided by a few old hard-heads," Anderson said in a statement.

Of the three players with previous NRL experience purchased by the club in the off-season, only second-rower Matt Jobson has been named for his first start with the club.

The side will be captained by Monty Betham, who at 25 will be the oldest player in the run-on squad.

He and centre Vince Mellars are the only familiar names in the starting side, while frontline forwards Awen Guttenbeil, Mark Tookey and Tevita Latu will start on the bench.

The match, to be officiated by leading NRL referee Steve Clark, starts at Waikato Stadium at 7.30pm.

Warriors team: Toshio Laiseni, Marvin Filipo, Shaun Metcalf, Vince Mellars, Manu Vatuvei, Marcus Perenara, Aoterangi Herangi, Evarn Tuimavave, Herewini Rangi, Shannon Stowers, Epalahame Lauaki, Matt Jobson, Monty Betham.

Interchange: Awen Guttenbeil, Mark Tookey, Louis Anderson, Jerome Ropati, Kane Ferris, Cooper Vuna, Tevita Latu.

- NZPA