St George Illawarra Dragons Head Coach Steve Price has been forced to make two changes to his winning team from last weekend for the match against the New Zealand Warriors at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday.
Sam Williams and Bronson Harrison have been named at the expense of Michael Witt and Jack de Belin who both left the field against Wests Tigers with a shoulder and leg injury respectively last Sunday.
"It is unfortunate that injuries have cost Michael and Jack their spots this week as I was pleased with their performances but I am confident that Sam and Bronson will step up and do the job for us this weekend in Auckland," said Dragons Head Coach Steve Price.
"Both players had a great pre-season and were pushing for a spot against the Tigers last round.
"Whilst we got the result against the Tigers we are very much aware that we need to improve as the Warriors are a quality team who will have home advantage and will be keen to bounce back from their opening round loss."
Dragons Performance Director said that it is difficult to put a timeframe on exactly when Witt and de Belin would return and that Dugan and Stockwell are on track with their recoveries.
“Michael Witt had scans to determine the extent of his dislocated shoulder and we are optimistic that we can rehabilitate him without the requirement of surgery,” said Performance Director Andrew Gray.
“He is presently being monitored but it is too early to put a definitive time frame on when he will return to training.
“Jack de Belin has a very bad contusion in his leg and a big hematoma from it.
“He too has had a scan to assess the amount of damage and we are trying to stop the bleed at this stage through a lot of compression and ice.
“He will be monitored over the next few days before a decision is made once we stop the bleeding and have him moving around.”
"Josh Dugan and Jack Stockwell are progressing well and are on schedule to return in Round five and three respectively".
1. Adam Quinlan
2. Brett Morris
3. Dylan Farrell
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Sam Williams
8. Tyson Frizell
9. Mitch Rein
10. Dan Hunt
11. Leeson Ah Mau
12. Ben Creagh (c)
13. Trent Merrin
14. Bronson Harrison
15. Kyle Stanley
16. Joel Thompson
17. Mike Cooper
Unavailable: Jack de Belin (Leg - TBC); Josh Dugan (Knee- Round 5); Jack Stockwell (Hamstring - Round 3); Michael Witt (Shoulder - TBC)
