NRL: Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran ruled out of Warriors season finale

Halves Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran will miss the Warriors season finale against Wests Tigers tonight through injury. Photo / Photosport.

Star halves Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran have been ruled out of the Warriors' season finale against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney tonight.

The Kiwi internationals were re-united for the club's final home game of the year against Manly last Sunday and, on Tuesday, were named to team up again, as the side looks to avoid a club-record nine straight losses in a season.

However, the Stephen Kearney-coached side flew across the Tasman without them yesterday afternoon, after both players failed fitness tests.

Johnson has not recovered sufficiently, after re-aggravating a knee injury that saw him sidelined for six weeks after the Round 19 loss to Penrith, while Foran has been struggling with a back problem.

Their absence provides a chance for young halves Mason Lino and Ata Hingano to start together for just the second time at NRL level, after first lining up against Canberra on August 13.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Marshall-King - younger brother of former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall - is set to debut off the bench for Wests Tigers, after Kiwi Elijah Taylor was ruled out with broken ribs.

Jack Littlejohn will replace Taylor at hooker, with the versatile Marshall-King capable of slotting in at dummyhalf, in the halves or at fullback.

The 21-year-old was born in New Zealand, before moving to Australia at the age of 10, looking to follow in the footsteps of his famous brother, who steered the joint-venture club to a maiden premiership win in 2005.

The Warriors reserve grade side are also in action tonight, taking on the Penrith Panthers at UOW Jubilee Oval (kick-off 6pm NZT) in Week One of the Intrust Super Premiership finals series.

Updated team lists: Wests Tigers v Warriors at Leichardt Oval, 8.30pm

Wests Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods (c) 17. Jack Littlejohn 10.Tim Grant 11. Joel Edwards 12. Josh Aloiai 13. Matthew Eisenhuth.
Interchange: 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Bayley Sironen 18. Ava Seumanufagai 19. Jeremy Marshall-King 21. Watson Heleta.

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 14. Mafoa'aeata Hingano 22. Mason Lino 8. Ben Matulino 9. Issac Luke 10. Sam Lisone 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering.
Interchange: 15. Charlie Gubb 16. Isaiah Papali'i 17. Jazz Tevaga 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Referees: Adam Gee, Peter Gough.