NRL 2023: NZ Warriors welcome back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jackson Ford for Mt Smart opener against Canterbury Bulldogs

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Photo credit: Getty Images

The Warriors will welcome back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jackson Ford for their first NRL game of the season at Mt Smart Stadium against the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The pair missed their side's win over the North Queensland Cowboys last week, after both picking head injuries in round two's defeat to the Sydney Roosters.

After both starring in the season-opening win over the Newcastle Knights at Wellington, they both return to the run-on side.

Last week's debutant Taine Tuaupiki makes way for Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback, while Ford replaces the injured Mitchell Barnett in the second row.

But the Warriors have been dealt a massive blow with hooker Wayde Egan missing the fixture after picking up a concussion.

His try-scoring form has been crucial to the Warriors' 2-1 start to the 2023 season, having dotted down in each of their first three matches.

Egan's absence sees Freddy Lussick named for his first appearance of the campaign, after filling the role of 18th man against the Cowboys.

Marata Niukore will play his 100th first-grade match on Sunday, a week after club captain Tohu Harris brought up his 200th appearance.

Warriors: 1-Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Edward Kosi, 3-Viliami Vailea, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Te Maire Martin, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Freddy Lussick, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Marata Niukore, 13-Tohu Harris

Interchange: 14-Dylan Walker, 15-Bayley Sironen, 16-Jazz Tevega, 17-Tom Ale

Join Newshub at 4pm Sunday for the Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs NRL clash