Star fullback Reece Walsh has dropped to the bench for NZ Warriors' clash with Canberra Raiders on Saturday, as acting coach Stacey Jones has made three changes to the side.
Walsh, 20, moves into the No.14 jersey for the Warriors' round 19 clash, replaced at fullback by Chanel Harris-Tavita, who shifts from five-eighth, where he started in last week's loss to Parramatta Eels.
Harris-Tavita has impressed in the No.1 jersey this season, putting in a man-of-the-match effort in the victory over Wests Tigers earlier this month, after Walsh tested positive for COVID-19.
In the halves, Daejarn Asi returns to partner Shaun Johnson and accommodate Harris-Tavita's switch, making his fifth appearance of the year, after his mid-season switch from North Queensland Cowboys.
Since his last outing against St George Illawarra Dragons in round 11, Asi has stood out for Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup, where he scored a try and made three assists in last week's 54-16 victory over Norths Devils.
Meanwhile, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns to start on the wing, after missing the defeat to the Eels with a positive COVID test. Watene-Zelezniak's return sees Edward Kosi drop to an extended bench.
The Warriors last met the Raiders in April, when a Johnson field goal gave the Auckland side a 21-20 golden point victory.
NZ Warriors: 1-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Jesse Arthars, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Daejarn Asi, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Tohu Harris (c), 11-Euan Aitken, 12-Josh Curran, 13-Jazz Tevaga
Interchange (from): 14-Reece Walsh, 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Aaron Pene, 17-Jack Murchie, 18-Eliesa Katoa, 20-Edward Kosi, 21-Ronald Volkman, 22-Freddy Lussick, 23-Jackson Frei
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