NRL 2019: Warriors' Nathaniel Roache returns at Issac Luke's expense for Penrith Panthers match

  • 25/06/2019
Luke and Roache.
Luke and Roache. Photo credit: Photosport

Warriors Blake Green and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will mark a special career milestone in their clash with the Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium.

On Sunday, the two backs will each bring up their 150th NRL appearance when they take on the struggling Sydney-siders.

Meanwhile, hooker Issac Luke has been dumped from the game day squad completely to make way for the returning Nate Roache.

Roache has recovered from a back injury sustained in the win over the Dragons in early May, and will start from the bench behind Karl Lawton, who'll don the number nine jersey.

Forwards Sam Lisone and Leivaha Pulu have both been recalled to cover the injury absence of Tohu Harris and Lachlan Burr. Lisone is back for the first time since round five while Pulu is set for his first outing this season.

Harris will be out for up to six weeks after having surgery on a stress fracture in his foot picked up late in the win over the Titans on June 14, while Burr is being rested due with general soreness and is expected to be available for selection next week.

NRL 2019: Warriors' Nathaniel Roache returns at Issac Luke's expense for Penrith Panthers match

Adam Blair has been switched to the second row, while Jazz Tevaga starts at loose forward.

The last time the two sides met in May, the Warriors emerged with an emphatic 30-10 win. 

The 14th-placed Panthers will also be without their star playmaker Nathan Cleary, who will miss the next month after injuring an ankle in the game two of the State of Origin series on Sunday.

Warriors: 1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2-David Fusitu'a, 3-Peta Hiku, 4-Patrick Herbert, 5-Ken Maumalo, 6-Kodi Nikorima, 7-Blake Green, 8-Agnatius Paasi, 9-Karl Lawton, 10-Leeson Ah Mau, 11-Adam Blair, 12- Isaiah Papali’i, 13- Jazz Tevaga

Interchange: 14-Nate Roache, 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Sam Lisone, 17-Leivaha Pulu

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