NRL2021: David Fusitu'a returns, new centre pairing for NZ Warriors against Melbourne Storm

David Fusitu'a has returned from injury for NZ Warriors' Anzac Day clash with Melbourne Storm, while a new centre pairing has been named amid a spate of injuries.

Forward Jack Murchie has been named to start in the centres and will partner Marcelo Montoya, after the pair of Peta Hiku and Adam Pompey were both ruled out.

NRL2021: David Fusitu'a returns, new centre pairing for NZ Warriors against Melbourne Storm
Photo credit: Image - Getty/Newshub

Murchie has already covered centre once this season, playing on the right edge for 30 minutes of the Warriors' 34-31 win over Canberra Raiders in round three.

Montoya moves back into the centres, having started on the wing against the Dragons.

The Warriors lost Hiku (shoulder) and Pompey (ankle) in last Sunday's 20-14 victory over St George-Illawarra Dragons, while Euan Aitken (shoulder) was already ruled out. 

Halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita (foot) is still unavailable. Five-eighth Paul Turner deputised out of position at centre for the Warriors in the win over the Dragons, but he too has picked up an injury, and been sent for scans. 

Bayley Sironen also returns from a shoulder injury, named on an extended bench.

Elsewhere, 18-year-old Reece Walsh has been named on the interchange bench, alongside fellow teenagers Rocco Berry (19) and Taniela Otukolo (18).

NZ Warriors: 1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2-David Fusitu'a, 3-Marcelo Montoya, 4-Jack Murchie, 5-Ken Maumalo, 6-Kodi Nikorima, 7-Sean O'Sullivan, 8-Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Kane Evans, 11-Josh Curran, 12-Ben Murdoch-Masila, 13-Tohu Harris. 

Interchange (from): 14-Jazz Tevaga, 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Leeson Ah Mau, 17-Bayley Sironen, 18-Rocco Berry, 20-Tom Ale, 21-Reece Walsh, 22-Taniela Otukolo.

Join Newshub for live updates of the Warriors v Storm from 8:35pm Sunday.