NRL: NZ Warriors name Dylan Walker at five-eighth to face Sydney Roosters despite judiciary appointment

NZ Warriors have named Dylan Walker to start at five-eighth in their NRL round nine clash against Sydney Roosters on Sunday, despite a potential ban following Tuesday's defeat to Melbourne Storm.

Walker, 28, has been hit with a grade two dangerous contact charge by the NRL judiciary for a tackle on Melbourne's Eliesa Katoa, and faces a two to three-game ban if found guilty.

However, with the Warriors battling an injury crisis following Tuesday's defeat, Walker has been named to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves in a reshuffled side.

NZ Warriors lost Tohu Harris to a suspected knee injury.
NZ Warriors lost Tohu Harris to a suspected knee injury. Photo credit: Photosport

Should Walker be found guilty by the judiciary later this week, Ronald Volkman would likely take his place in the halves after being named on the extended interchange bench. 

Captain Tohu Harris has been ruled out of facing the Roosters, after appearing to reaggravate a knee injury in Tuesday's defeat. As a result, Josh Curran comes into the side to start at lock in his skipper's place.

Elsewhere, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will also miss Sunday's clash after failing a concussion test, seeing Taine Tuaupiki come into the side to wear the No.1 jersey. 

Tuaupiki has played one game already in Nicoll-Klokstad's absence this season, coming into the side for the 26-12 victory over North Queensland Cowboys in March.

Jazz Tevaga has also been ruled out with injury after limping out of the Storm defeat, moving Bunty Afoa from the interchange bench and into the starting side.

Elsewhere, hooker Wayde Egan returns in a much-needed boost after he was afforded an extra week off for his second concussion of the season. Egan will start at No.9, as Freddy Lussick drops to the bench.

Bayley Sironen has also been passed fit after a late concussion test against the Storm, and will start on the interchange bench. 

Sunday's clash will be just the third played at Mt Smart Stadium, with the Warriors looking to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.

The two sides have met once already this season, as Sydney took a 20-12 victory in round two. 

NZ Warriors: 1-Taine Tuaupiki, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Marcelo Montoya, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Ed Kosi, 6-Dylan Walker, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 12-Marata Niukore, 13-Josh Curran

Interchange (from): 14-Freddy Lussick, 15-Bayley Sironen, 16-Tom Ale, 17-Viliami Vailea, 18-Demitric Sifakula, 20-Ronald Volkman, 21-Ali Leiataua, 22-Kalaini Going, 23-Zyon Maiu'u

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