NRL: Lolohea named at fullback for Warriors

Tuimoala Lolohea in action for the Warriors during the NRL Nines. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tuimoala Lolohea moves to fullback and Matt Allwood comes into the centres for the Warriors' 20th anniversary match against the Brisbane Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday (2.00pm kick-off).

With first-choice fullback Sam Tomkins sidelined for four to six weeks with a knee injury, the versatile Lolohea will have his second start in the position in four games this season.
The 20-year-old filled the role in round one against Newcastle when Tomkins was out with a hamstring injury and also played the final 29 minutes against the Eels at fullback last Saturday after Tomkins left the field.

Allwood will become Warrior No. 199 and the seventh player to make his debut for the club this season after Solomone Kata, Ryan Hoffman, Bodene Thompson, Sam Lisone, Albert Vete and Jonathan Wright.

The 22-year-old Allwood signed with the Warriors after making 11 NRL appearances for the Canberra Raiders last season. So far this year he has played twice for the club's New South Wales Cup side - at centre and fullback - as well as being the NRL team's 18th man twice.

"Tui has a big opportunity at fullback with Sam out for a month or so," said assistant coach Tony Iro.

"He was outstanding there when we played Newcastle and had more experience when Sam went off last week. We all know the ability he has and have real confidence in him being able to handle himself.

"Matt gives us NRL experience and is well versed in what we do. He has trained in the centres throughout the offseason as well as playing in trials."

The rest of the side remains unchanged with the same starting forward pack being named for the third straight week.

The match marks the 20th anniversary of the Warriors' debut appearance against the Broncos on March 10, 1995, a game Brisbane won 25-22.

The Broncos have been their most regular opponents, this being the 36th clash with Brisbane winning 20 of them and the Warriors 15. At Mt Smart Stadium the Warriors have a 10-7 edge in 17 meetings.

The Warriors have won the last four encounters at Mt Smart and six of the last seven but this time they face a Brisbane side reunited with foundation coach Wayne Bennett who was at the helm when the two clubs first met in 1995.

Warriors:
1. TuimoalaLolohea
2. Jonathan Wright
3. Matt Allwood
4. Solomone Kata
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Chad Townsend
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Thomas Leuluai
10. Ben Matulino
11. Bodene Thompson
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Simon Mannering (c)
Interchange:
14. Nathan Friend
15. Ben Henry
16. Sam Lisone
17. Albert Vete
18. Dominique Peyroux