"[Today's line-up] is probably the team we are going to go with," said McFadden. "Solomone [Kata] has earned a spot, a first crack at that centre spot at this stage. We'll have a look at the video and see if anyone has popped up [but] that will be the team for round one."
It would be a big test for Kata, who has yet to play an NRL match. He has edged ahead of Matt Allwood and Jonathan Wright, while Ngani Laumape's preparations have been disrupted by niggling injuries. Kata was a standout performer in the triumphant 2014 Junior Warriors side, making a truckload of metres and tackle breaks. But the step up to NRL is a large one and can be a steep learning curve, as Brian McClennan found when he promoted Konrad Hurrell in 2012. Kata could be a huge weapon on attack but his defensive nous will be tested at first grade level.
Leuluai gave a reminder of his dummy half skills during the Four Nations and probably offers more on attack than the reliable Nathan Friend. Lolohea might be rewarded for his versatility and Thompson for his aggression on attack and defence.
Yesterday's match was a valuable exercise. There was plenty of intensity - with some bone crunching tackles - played at a frenetic pace which tested both defensive lines. Though it was an inter-club game, there seemed to be plenty of feeling and genuine aggression.
"Sometimes [teammates] are reluctant to go and really whack each other but we spoke about it as a group," said McFadden. "It was really important that they committed to it and the physical nature was very good ... we needed that."
Ken Maumalo bowled Shaun Johnson with an early run, young props Albert Vete and Sam Lisone didn't hold back against their highly regarded counterparts and Konrad Hurrell took some early punishment as he hit the line hard.
"At the start everyone was thinking what are we doing here - we should have got another team [to play]," said Hurrell. "But it was a game for everyone to fight for their spot and everyone's done that."
Hurrell was impressive in his comeback from a wrist injury, scoring two tries and throwing a delightful pass to send Simon Mannering over. He also made one young fan's day, giving the boy his boots as he walked off the field.
Mannering and Lillyman also impressed in their first hit out and Sam Tomkins looked sharp at fullback. It was a day that the sport returned to its true heartland, with over 2000 people coming to Bruce Pulman Park to see their heroes. There were shades of the 1980s at Carlaw Park, as kids played their own games on neighbouring fields and some non- playing Warriors sat amongst the punters.
Likely line-up
The likely Warriors starting XIII for round one is:
1.
Sam Tomkins
2.
Tui Lolohea
3.
Konrad Hurrell
4.
Solomone Kata
5.
Manu Vatuvei
6.
Chad Townsend
7.
Shaun Johnson
8.
Jacob Lillyman
9.
Thomas Leuluai
10.
Ben Matulino
11.
Ryan Hoffman
12.
Bodene Thompson
13.
Simon Mannerin
