Three of the NZ Warriors' new recruits have been named to start against the Gold Coast Titans in their season-opening NRL clash.
Centre Euan Aitken will be joined by prop Addin Fonua-Blake and edge forward Bayley Sironen, when the club runs out for its first game on Saturday at Central Coast Stadium.
Fellow new faces Ben Murdoch-Masila and Sean O'Sullivan have been named on an extended bench.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will captain the team from fullback in a familiar-looking backline that includes David Fusitua and Ken Maumalo on the wings, with Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves.
Hooker Wade Egan has been passed fit to play after recovering from a shoulder injury, with utility forward Jazz Tevaga to come off the bench.
Joining Fonua-Blake and Sironen in the pack are veteran lock Tohu Harris, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and 2020 club rookie of the Year Eliesa Katoa.
Leeson Ah Mau and Bunty Afoa look set to start on the bench with Kane Evans not quite match fit and Jack Murchie suffering a minor injury complaint.
Harris says he still gets butterflies before the start of a new campaign.
"It still does have a special feeling," he says. The excitement is still there and the nervous energy’s still there.
"Nathan's [Brown] brought his own thing and he’s trying to teach players right from the smallest detail and skill set.
Especially with the broken pre season, it’s been a bit of a process at times but I think we’re really starting to pick it up.
"It’s showing on the field, we’re starting to move a bit quicker and perform those details at a faster pace."
"It’s starting to click so hopefully we can take that into round one."
Warriors: 1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2-David Fusitua, 3-Euan Aitken, 4-Peta Hiku, 5-Ken Maumalo, 6-Chanel Harris-Tevita, 7-Kodi Nikorima, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wade Egan, 10-Jamayne Tonua-Brown, 11-Eleisa Katoa, 12-Bayley Sironen, 13-Tohu Harris
Bench: 14-Jazz Tevaga, 15-Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16-Leeson Ah Mau, 17-Bunty Afoa, 18-Adam Pompey, 20-Sean O'Sullivan, 21-Tom Ale, 22-Josh Curran
Join us at 5pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Gold Coast NRL season-opener
