New Zealand Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has named his mandatory 21-man Magic Round squad to face the St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, May 11.
Former Bronco Kodi Nikorima will make his Warriors debut at five-eighth after joining the club midway through last week. Chanel Harris-Tavita drops back to the reserves as a result.
David Fusitu'a also returns from a rib injury on the wing, with Gerard Beale named in the reserves. Beale is joined in the reserves by Issac Luke and Chris Satae, with Jazz Tevaga and Karl Lawton named on the bench; Nathaniel Roache is promoted to hooker.
The suspended Adam Blair is replaced on the interchange by Bunty Afoa. Ligi Sao is also named on the interchange as Hayze Perham drops out of the squad altogether.
New Zealand Warriors squad: Round 9 v Dragons
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2. David Fusitu’a
3. Peta Hiku
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Blake Green
8. Agnatius Paasi
9. Nathaniel Roache
10. Leeson Ah Mau
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Tohu Harris
13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange:
14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Ligi Sao
17. Karl Lawton
18. Gerard Beale
20. Chris Satae
21. Chanel Harris-Tavita
22. Issac Luke
