KEY POINTS:
Off-season signings Ian Henderson and Ryan Shortland and utility Aidan Kirk and winger Malo Solomona will make their New Zealand Warriors debuts in Friday's trial against Newcastle at North Harbour Stadium.
Hooker Henderson, 24, joined the club after three seasons with Bradford in the English Super League, while centre-winger Shortland, 22, signed after making his only NRL appearance for the title-winning Melbourne Storm last season.
Kirk, 21, joined the club from the Sydney Roosters after the 2006 season but had his progress disrupted by knee surgery last year.
After a delayed start he was a regular for the Auckland Lions in the NSW Premier League alongside Solomona, 20, and who played all but one of the side's 22 matches and finished top try scorer with 15.
Coach Ivan Cleary has included the quartet in a 20-man squad to face the Knights in the first of the Warriors' three trials before this year's NRL season begins.
They will play an Auckland selection on Saturday week (February 23) and will complete their preparations against Manly at Quad Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on February 29.
Not considered for the Newcastle trial was major off-season acquisition Brent Tate, who has recovered from knee surgery and is scheduled to make his first appearance for his new club against the Sea Eagles.
Winger Michael Crockett (shoulder), captain Steve Price (calf) and centre Jerome Ropati (hamstring) have niggling injuries and were also not considered for the match.
Five players who have been involved with the NRL squad - Toleafoa Leaupepe, 20, on-trial Herman Retzlaff, 20, Russell Packer, 18, Scott Jones, 20, and Constantine Mika, 18, - are all set to appear in the curtain-raiser. Leaupepe and Retzlaff will line up for the Auckland selection while Packer, Jones and Mika have all been named to play for the Junior Warriors.
Warriors: Patrick Ah Van, Sonny Fai, Nathan Fien, Ian Henderson, Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Micheal Luck, Wade McKinnon, Simon Mannering, Sam Rapira, Grant Rovelli, Ryan Shortland, Malo Solomona, Logan Swann, Evarn Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei, Ruben Wiki (captain).
- NZPA
