NRL: Warriors hope sweating it out will pay off

If Auckland has been a bit hot and sticky for you of late, spare a thought for the Warriors.

Cairns, the location for today's second pre-season NRL trial against the Cowboys, can make Auckland seem like Invercargill - which is precisely why the Warriors are there.

With an early-season draw that includes visits to the Sunshine State to take on Gold Coast (round one) and Brisbane (round three), the Warriors are enduring some valuable acclimatisation training.

"The humidity is ridiculous," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"They are putting out a pretty good team and there is a bit of rain predicted but whatever happens it is going to be really slippery, heavy and humid. But that is what we are going to be up against in Australia for the first few months of the season, particularly in Queensland, so we have had some good quality practice this week."

The Warriors had planned to make just a three-day trip to Cairns, but they altered their itinerary once the draw came out.

Today's match should be particularly demanding for Micheal Luck, Jerome Ropati, Sam Rapira and Lance Hohaia, who are all making their first appearances of the season.

Brent Tate and Simon Mannering are both still sidelined.

Cleary rated his senior back and captain as doubtful for next week's final trial against Manly at North Harbour Stadium but almost certain to be ready for the season-opener against the Titans.

No date has yet been set for the return of former captain Steve Price, who has been troubled by complications following heel surgery.

A further close examination of the various halves combinations would be one of main focuses of today's match, Cleary said.

"We are still looking to see who is going to be Brett's [Seymour] halves partner. I thought all of the boys went particularly well there last week.

"And I thought some of the younger guys were very good. Bill Tupou on the wing and Sione Lousi in particular had a very good game so they'll get a bit more game time [today].

"The team functioned pretty well in terms of what we are doing at training so I feel we are on the right track."

With Ian Henderson's knee strain likely to keep him out until at least round three, Cleary will also be interested in the form of his likely replacements Aaron Heremaia, Alehana Mara and Hohaia.

Hohaia will run at fullback and hooker today.

WARRIORS SQUAD

Patrick Ah Van, Lewis Brown, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Shaun Johnson, Jeremy Latimore, Jacob Lillyman, Kevin Locke, Sione Lousi, Micheal Luck, Wade McKinnon, James Maloney, Simon Mannering, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Joel Moon, Russell Packer, Steve Price, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Jesse Royal, Brett Seymour, Brent Tate, Bill Tupou, Manu Vatuvei.