NRL: Dylan Walker named in halves for NZ Warriors against North Queensland Cowboys

Utility Dylan Walker has been promoted from the bench - and moved into the halves - to cover injuries to NZ Warriors spine against North Queensland Cowboys.

Hooker Freddy Lussick will also replace acting captain Wayde Egan, who failed a concussion test during last week's defeat to Newcastle Knights.

Since arriving from Manly Sea Eagles, where he played mainly in the halves or centres, Walker, 28, has been used as an impact player in the middle of the park, forming a 'Bald Brothers' tandem with Jazz Tevaga.

He moved into the halves, when Te Maire Martin suffered a broken leg against the Knights, and looks destined to fill his more natural position long term, with Martin now likely sidelined for eight weeks.

The setback is the latest in a career that seemed ended prematurely, when Martin suffered a brain bleed in 2019, but he made a comeback with Brisbane Broncos and switched to the Warriors this season.

As he has for the past two weeks, coach Andrew Webster has again named captain Tohu Harris for a return from his knee injury, but the veteran lock has not made the gameday line-up on the previous two occasions.

Young fullback Taine Tauaupiki has been promoted to the interchange, after being a late addition last week, with former NZ Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also in contention, after provind his fitness with four tries for the Warriors reserves.

Teenagers Demitric Sifakula, Ali Leiatau and Zyon Maiu'u have been named on the extended bench, along with 20-year-old half Ronald Volkman.

Te Maire Martin is helped off against Newcastle Knights
Te Maire Martin is helped off against Newcastle Knights. Photo credit: Getty Images

Among those unavailable are newly acquired forwards Mitch Barnett (neck injury) and Marat Niukore (suspension).

Warriors: 1-Charnze-Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Ed Kosi, 3-Viliami Vailea, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Dylan Walker, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Freddy Lussick, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Bayley Sironen, 13-Tohu Harris

Interchange: 14-Taine Tuaupiki, 15-Josh Curran, 16-Jazz Tevaga, 17-Tom Ale, 18-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 20-Ronald Volkman, 21-Demitric Sifakula, 22-Ali Leiataua, 23-Zyon Maiu'u

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