League: Warriors coach looks to new talent

The Warriors and Canberra Raiders both have big guns missing from their trial game at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday but will field sides that are otherwise close to their full NRL line-ups.

Steve Price, who was yesterday confirmed as Warriors captain for 2006 and Ruben Wiki, his deputy, are rested because their qualities are known and new coach Ivan Cleary wants to see what others can produce.

Starting at prop are George Tuakura, an Otahuhu stalwart with experience in France and Queensland, and Evarn Tuimavave.

Cleary said that Tuakura, 30, had earned selection by showing at training how much he wanted to play and that he saw Tuimavave as a prop rather than a second rower where he has had runs in the NRL.

Fullback Brent Webb has a groin strain and is left out for Tony Martin, who returns after a neck problem that ended his 2005 season in June.

The Raiders have rested Jason Smith and try Junior Kangaroos half William Zillman at five-eighth. Jason Croker is also being kept back.

Ruled out with injuries are Todd Carney and Michael Hodgson.

There is a better atmosphere about the Warriors this season, illustrated with lots of talk on the training field yesterday.

Cleary said the pre-season preparation had been good, there was an enthusiasm in the squad driven by new players and it was up to individuals to show their enthusiasm.

He didn't expect a perfect exhibition - rather one that showed some new combinations forming, that got rid of off-season rust and that gave the new boys a chance to showcase their talent.

The Warriors development squad - which includes some highly rated youngsters, including the Mt Albert trio of Patrick Ah Van, Robinson Godfrey and Daniel O'Regan - will play against a North Harbour Bartercard Cup selection in the curtainraiser.


Warriors v Raiders

North Harbour Stadium, 3pm Sunday

* Warriors: Tony Martin, Todd Byrne, Jerome Ropati, Clinton Toopi, Manu Vatuvei, Sione Faumuina, Nathan Fien, George Tuakura, Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Wairangi Koopu, Awen Guttenbeil, Louis Anderson; interchange Grant Rovelli, Cooper Vuna, Michael Luck, Epalahame Lauaki, Richard Villasanti, Sam Rapira.

* Canberra Raiders: Clinton Schifcofske, Marshall Chalk, Phil Graham, Adam Mogg, Adrian Purtell, William Zillman, Lincoln Withers, Jason Williams, Simon Woolford, Willie Raston, Ben Jones, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Alan Tongue; interchange Troy Thompson, David Milne, Jermaine Ale, Dane Tilse, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Trevor Thurling, Terry Martin, Terry Campese, Michael Dobson.