NRL: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck still on baby duty, named for Warriors

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Photo credit: Photosport

Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is still on baby watch, but has been named at fullback for the NZ Warriors' top-four home clash against South Sydney on Saturday night.

Tuivasa-Sheck was a late scratching from last week's road win over Parramatta Eels, opting to support Fiancée Ashley through the birth of their first baby.

That offspring has not been forthcoming yet, but is expected any day now, hopefully allowing him to take his place in the Warriors line-up.

His return would trigger the only significant changes to the starting line-up against the Rabbitohs, with Peta Hiku returning to the centres and Gerard Beale moving to the interchange.

Former captain Simon Mannering has been named to start in the second row, but it wouldn't been surprising to see him move to the bench and replaced by Isaiah Papali'i, as has been the case previously over the past month.

Star half Shaun Johnson is the notable absence for a third consecutive week, after suffering an ankle injury against St George Illawarra Dragons. Understudy Mason Lino will again wear the No.7 jersey.

The Warriors, currently 8-3 for the season, defeated Souths 32-20 in their opener at Perth, en route to a five-game winning start to their 2018 campaign.

The full squad is:

WARRIORS: 1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2-David Fusitu’a, 3-Peta Hiku, 4-Solomone Kata, 5-Ken Maumalo, 6-Blake Green, 7-Mason Lino, 8-James Gavet, 9-Issac Luke, 10-Agnatius Paasi, 11-Simon Mannering, 12-Tohu Harris, 13-Adam Blair

Interchange: 14-Jazz Tevaga, 15-Chris Satae, 16-Bunty Afoa, 17-Isaiah Papali’I, 18-Gerard Beale, 20-Karl Lawton, 21-Albert Vete, 22-Anthony Gelling