Newcomer Vince Anderson's first training run with the Warriors' playing lineup turned sour yesterday.
He injured his knee midway through the session and was ruled out of what would have been his NRL debut against the Sharks at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday.
It was a bitter blow to the23-year-old Mt Albert centre, his place going to David Myles, himself a last-minute call-up against the Sharks last season. On that occasion, Myles scored an early try in a 30-0 romp.
Sharks five-eighth Matthew Johns is out. He is officially "rested" for concussion and won't make a second trip to New Zealand this year after the pre-season game at Christchurch that ended in a 30-30 draw, and which was followed by controversy when a hotel employee alleged sexual assault.
His replacement is Preston Campbell, who was player-of-the-year at half last season, but has been shunted from fullback to wing to bench this season to make way for coach Chris Anderson's preference, Brett Kimmorley.
Captain David Peachey remains hopeful of travelling despite an on-going hamstring injury, but Sharks medical staff are less confident.
Big prop Jason Stevens is even less likely with a knee injury, and centre Paul Mellor, with a bad knee, remains doubtful.
Good news for the Warriors came yesterday with an agreement with Lance Hohaia to extend his contract to the end of 2004. That means most of this year's squad backs up next season. Negotiations are continuing with Kevin Campion, Ivan Cleary, Mark Tookey and Justin Morgan.
NRL chief executive David Gallop has agreed to visit within the next month to view plans for extensions at Ericsson Stadium that require the club to agree to a 10-year deal before the Auckland Regional Council commits $21 million.
Cronulla Sharks: Jared Taylor, Ryan McGoldrick, Paul Mellor, Paul Franze, Matthew Reick, Preston Campbell, Brett Kimmorley, Danny Nutley, Pat Gibson, Andrew Pierce, Paul Gallen, Matt Bickerstaff, Nick Graham; interchange Nick Patterson, Paul Bosnich, Greg Bird, Colin Best 18th man Peter Cooke.
